The fastest new BMW Z4 - the sDrive35is - took the stand at the court of public opinion for the first time at Detroit.
It may not be an M-car but, with 330bhp on tap from its twin-turbo straight-six and a 0-62mph time of less than 5 seconds, you'd hardly call it 'wet'.
The hottest current 'Z' got a mostly warm reception when details were released a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen how its subtle styling tweaks will be received at Detroit.
Strangely, the latest 'F10' 5-series, which so dividedopinion when full details first emerged, with its heavy-set lines and slightly odd proportions, was notable by its absence.