BMW asks how you can improve an engine that has already won six times at the Engine of the Year awards the answer: with a twin scroll turbocharger, valvetronic and direct petrol injection, just for starters.
And that answer, ladies, is only one of the reasons why the 535i is such an incredible car to drive. The others are myriad. Still beneath the bonnet of this gorgeous car, think 225kW and 400Nm across a wide speed range and silky smoothness - married to a (claimed) fuel consumption of only 8.4 litres per 100km.
Nothing wrong with that, I'd say.
Nor with the effortless, torquey, sporty performance from what looks like a big, wide car but which actually handles like something a whole lot sleeker and smaller than it is.
(FYI: the car's overall length has grown by 40mm, while its height is slightly reduced and its width increased by a smidgen).
The good-looking, six-cylinder 535i (priced from R646 000) provides the ultimate total driving experience. The technology is phenomenal, so some of the blonder among us might need a quick briefing before taking off, just to understand the meaning and concept of all the bells and whistles.
One significant feature is the barrage of driver support such as, for instance, radars and cameras that monitor conditions and warn you of lane changes and vehicles coming too close.
At the back of the car the lane-change warning uses radar sensors to let you know, via a symbol on your side mirror, if anything's in your blind spot or if a vehicle is approaching quickly from the rear.
When you use the indicator to change lanes you'll be warned, in potentially dangerous situations, by a flashing LED signal and vibrations.
The camera at the front of the car assists the lane-departure warning system. When travelling above 70km/h the system monitors road markings and their position in relation to the car as well as the edge of the road or lane.
It's activated whenever the vehicle leaves its current lane unintentionally and alerts the driver by making the steering wheel vibrate. But, when you indicate your intention to change lanes by using the indicator, there's no warning signal.
All very hi-tech and exceptionally useful, particularly on our hectic roads when it's sometimes like driving in Dodge City
I loved the comfortable, driver-friendly cockpit and the brilliant eight-speed auto transmission but could, I must confess, have done without the tasteful and non-child-friendly light beige leather interior. After a week of solid rain in Durban, muddy feet (and everything else!) were the order of the day. I would definitely opt for black - all over!
BE CAREFUL OF WHIPLASH
Also enjoyed the auto bootlid ( so made for shopping divas!) and the little button allowing me to fold in the wing mirrors whenever I had to negotiate my skinny driveway.
The 535i just loves you flooring it on beautiful long straights and through bends - just be careful of whiplash when you first take off; I didn't really expect that sublime but sudden burst of power!
Nevertheless it's equally comfortable as you nose your way through gridlocked traffic. With twin DVD screens for your rear passengers, a remarkably efficient aircon/heating system, brilliant visibility all round and one of the smoothest rides on the planet, you just can't go wrong with this one.
And so good looking, too, with that elongated bonnet.