Drivers Log.(News)(Product/service evaluation)

MORRISON: Even five minutes is enough to tell you that BMW has once again captured thunder and lightning on wheels. The previous model (E46) was-and remains-one of the most entertaining cars on the planet, and the new E92 version retains its trademark nimbleness while upping the power substantially.

The new high-tech, superlightweight V8 revs as eagerly as the old straight-six, and because it actually weighs about 30 pounds less than the six, any fears that the car would feel nose-heavy and less tossable evaporate the first time you pick off an apex. Or, better yet, the first time you rotate past one in a smooth sideways drift. I was happy to find that the M3 is still one of the most easily controlled powersliders extant. That's not exactly the quick way through a corner, but it feels so right in this car that you can't help yourself.

As for everything else a driver could desire, the steering, brakes and suspension are world-class. And thank you, BMW, for giving us the six-speed manual and not shoving some convoluted paddle-shift system down our throats right off the bat. A double-clutch paddle shifter is on the way, and that's fine for those who want it, but they're going to miss out on some fun.

Speaking of convoluted, my only complaint at this point is that the car might just be too good. This bad boy makes you do things you should not do. And it is now so damn fast that you are really asking for trouble when you do them. The problem is the same one encountered with most 400-plus-hp cars on public roads: The M3 makes you rip corners as though you're racing for the GT2-class lead at Le Mans. The engine revs past eight grand, and the sound pretty much forces you to let it out to the limiter in every gear (unless you have way more willpower than I do). But if you do that, you'll quickly be banging the speedo up to 150 mph and beyond with no effort.

WONG: What a monster. As Morrison said, the previous M3 is one of the most rewarding drives out there, and the new car retains ...