"A tribute to ABS and the Maserati Stability Programme" was how my passenger described our entry to the final corner on the Prodrive test track last Monday. I'd rather put it down to a bit of skilful driving. And more memory– than brake–fade as a number of cones had seemingly appeared that surely were not there on my sighting lap?

This, and a spell on the wet, low–friction surface demonstrated the value of much-derided 'driver aids'. The car was a GranTurismo S with the six–speed sequential robotic gearbox and was simply terrific; more than enough power, coupled to a finely tuned chassis that allowed a twitch of progressive oversteer at high speed. All controlled by much technical trickery to keep the £90k+ car on the Tarmac.

The day was a general introduction to the 2010 model range and, in particular, gave us some time behind the wheel of the GranCabrio. More of that in weeks to come, but the next time you hear some pub bore extolling the virtues of "switching all that *&%$ off", think on — it's there for a reason and for most mortals is a jolly useful thing.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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