Add in the driver variable. It is easy to over estimate skill and ability. When the P6 was introduced there weresome crashes on test drives.
Get into a new car for a test.
Heavy right foot before you have learned how the car reacts = scary moment/crash.
I wondered if this was the case in those early tests. The car is advertised as one that has Performance( capital P). The " lets give it a go" mentality sets in too soon? Foot down and lost control is then easy.
I was taught to be careful and only do a foot down in straight lineson a good road. Even then progressive to see response.
I moved from a 1993 4/4 to a 2002 Plus8. Test drive was gentle, foot down in higher gear then in lower gears. Impressive! I bought the car and spent some miles getting familiar. Easy to kick the rear out so that limit was a key learning point. 3k revs in 3rd gear and the car came alive, it felt like the car was saying " thank you".
Same with the Plus Four. Test 1 in a manual car,some gently right foot stuff then heavier on a good road. Tested an auto and went for it. Over 19k miles I've learned normal mode and Sport mode. Tried Sport+ but it's not needed. OK for a track but never tested. Sport is handy for overtakes as it gets done easier and safer PROVIDED the right foot has been educated and conditions are ok.
It's a soft top, no roll bars so flip means serious consequences.
The mindset is important. Driving on the limit is for racing. Yes, on public roads you can get a move on but common sense must prevail.