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Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good

February 17, 2026
•Ars technica
Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good

Here's something that caught my attention — modern stability control systems in cars are so advanced, they’re almost like having a driving instructor in the dashboard. Imagine sliding sideways on a frozen lake in a supercar — sounds wild, right? Well, according to Jonathan M. Gitlin at Ars, McLaren took this to the extreme by putting its car on ice in Finland to test these systems. The feeling of a rear-wheel slide can be pure thrill — like a roller coaster — but when it catches you unexpectedly, it’s downright nerve-wracking. But here’s the thing — thanks to decades of tech evolution, these electronic safety nets are better than ever, preventing crashes before they happen. As Gitlin reports, automakers are pushing these systems to their limits, making even the most daring driving risks safer. So what does this mean for you? As car tech keeps improving, our roads could become a lot safer, even when things go sideways — literally.

McLaren provided flights from Washington, DC, to Ivalo, Finland, and accommodation so Ars could drive its car on a frozen lake. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

SAARISELKÄ, FINLAND—If you're expecting it, the feeling in the pit of your stomach when the rear of your car breaks traction and begins to slide is rather pleasant. It's the same exhilaration we get from roller coasters, but when you're in the driver's seat, you're in charge of the ride.

When you're not expecting it, though, there's anxiety instead of excitement and, should the slide end with a crunch, a lot more negative emotions, too.

Thankfully, fewer and fewer drivers will have to experience that kind of scare thanks to the proliferation and sophistication of modern electronic stability and traction control systems. For more than 30 years, these electronic safety nets have grown in capability and became mandatory in the early 2010s, saving countless crashes in the process.

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McLaren provided flights from Washington, DC, to Ivalo, Finland, and accommodation so Ars could drive its car on a frozen lake. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

SAARISELKÄ, FINLAND—If you're expecting it, the feeling in the pit of your stomach when the rear of your car breaks traction and begins to slide is rather pleasant. It's the same exhilaration we get from roller coasters, but when you're in the driver's seat, you're in charge of the ride.

When you're not expecting it, though, there's anxiety instead of excitement and, should the slide end with a crunch, a lot more negative emotions, too.

Thankfully, fewer and fewer drivers will have to experience that kind of scare thanks to the proliferation and sophistication of modern electronic stability and traction control systems. For more than 30 years, these electronic safety nets have grown in capability and became mandatory in the early 2010s, saving countless crashes in the process.

Read full article

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Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good | Speasy