Personally I think the Maserati set-up is great. Having driven these cars in all kinds of road conditions - dry, wet, snowy, icy, I have a lot of respect for how it is set-up.
Indeed, the Maserati system is pretty unique among sports car manufacturers. Here is some words from Paul Flickers, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Maserati.
"Skid control systems employ high-speed computer technology and extremely fast hydraulic systems designed to reduce torque to individual wheels and braking wheels in pre-programmed sequences to help bring sliding cars back under control.
Many of our rival manufacturers simply use slightly modified off-the-shelf skid-control systems and fit them to their vehicles.
Maserati does not do this. The Maserati ESP system has been exclusively designed to assist drivers across a range of driving abilities.
Maserati insisted that its ESP should not interfere with the enjoyment of a skilled driver, but it should still allow every driver to use the full capabilities of their Maserati.
This decision also meant some level of electronic reassurance for people who may be daunted by the race-bred power of the 4.2L V8 engine.
This system is continuously operation, and its parameters have been designed to include assistance on dry, wet and even icy conditions. The engineers built into the system a special winter driving setting to help owners get through snowy conditions that otherwise would require all-wheel drive.
Maserati's ESP has been developed with a more sporting focus than the ESP technologies of a similar name in use by other car companies. The Maserati system has been formulated on the assumption of a certain level of driving enthusiasm and passion."
Here is a simplification of the rest of the message from Paul;
In Sport mode the system will allow the car to skid sideways by up to six degrees in a corner.
For track days or in confidently skilled hands, the driver can turn the ESP off completely. This means there is no electronic assistance for active safety, and the driver will be relying on pure car control and chassis engineering to drive quickly.
Even at this level though, the Anti-lock braking system is still operational (as is the rev-limiter) to help prevent the wheels from locking or skidding. This is an aid to help the driver retain steering control even under emergency braking.
- Mark