A lucky Bermuda driver has taken delivery of a James Bond-style BMW roadster -- the first registered on the Island.

The silver dream machine hit the Island's roads only this week -- and is turning heads everywhere.

The 116 mph BMW Z3 -- the model used in the first Pierce Brosnan James Bond movie, Goldeneye -- was handed over to its proud new owner only this week.

A spokesman for Shaw Enterprises, which holds the BMW franchise for the Island, declined to discuss price or to disclose the owner's identity.

But, according to Government sources, with the Island's huge tax add-on, the Z3 could be expected to come in with a price tag in excess of $80,000.

The Shaw spokesman added it was the first BMW for years which could be brought into Bermuda without length and width modifications to keep in line with the Island's car size regulations.

The 1900cc fuel-injected two-seater, which goes from a standing start to an illegal -- in Bermuda, at least -- 60 mph in a little over 8 seconds -- falls 0.4 of an inch inside the rigid 67 inch width limit.

And -- at 158.5 inches long -- it falls comfortably within the limit of 169 inches maximum length.

But the soft-top car, also fitted with an optional hardtop in matching silver, is not the first of its type to hit the Island's roads.

Top US rock band Hootie and the Blowfish got special permission two years ago to bring in the original James Bond vehicle to shoot the video for their single "Tucker's Town''.

The spokesman for Shaw Enterprises admitted: "It's maybe a little bit of a waste in one respect to have all that beautiful car and not be able to do what it is supposed to do.

"But that problem goes all the way back to the MGs and TR7s and TR4s imported years ago.

"But in many respects, it's a good car for Bermuda -- it's small, very comfortable and holds the road beautifully.

"And you don't have to use the fourth and fifth gears if you don't want to.'' A rave review in the US-based Menz Magazine when the Z3 was introduced two years ago described it as "the most exciting product ever to come from the legendary Bavarian automaker''.

And the reviewer added Ian Fleming's world-famous secret agent had made a wise choice of wheels in the Z3.

He wrote: "It prompted the world's most dashing secret agent to trade in his Aston Martin and Lotus Esprit.

"All in all, the Z3 is a wonderful car. It truly is a car that's worthy to be driven by James Bond.'' Graphic file name: CARBMW SILVER DREAM MACHINE! -- The James Bond-style BMW Z3 roadster, the first example of which has just hit the Island's roads.