Back to Black

Still, one night. One icy, deserted night. Go again. Christ, this thing is quick. Even in these skating-rink conditions, Merc's claim of a sub-four second 0-60mph time feels eminently believable. Top speed of 199mph? We'll trust you on that one, guys.

Traction control is on. Fully on. Even so, there's enough give in the stability control to allow for plenty of organ-rearranging moments of terror before the electronics kick in to tidy things up. Slide, catch, slide, catch. Wipe palms on jeans. Make weak, terrified joke. Concentrate. An unintended extra millimetre or two of squeeze on the accelerator sends the Black lurching merrily towards a snow bank. With frozen feet and a frozen brain, this is not good news. Time to slow down.