Snicking the gear lever into 1st, he eased out the clutch and the powerful motor gathered itself, pushing forward with a purposeful lunge. In the rear view mirror he could see the giant tail, twitching from side to side.

Roland mashed the pedal to the floor and the cleats on the tyres scrabbled against the asphalt, clattering a small collection of pebbles around inside the wheel arches. With an indescribable howl the car leapt forward, pinning Roland and his passengers back into their seats.

Cornering was a breeze, with the extraordinary traction it possessed. Roland drove two wheels deliberately up the ramp, throwing the car upside down and off the ground. It squirmed in the air, as the gyros righted the car, landing it heavily but surely on its wheels.

Bringing it to a halt, the investors clambered out of the car, one of them running his hand absently along the car's black, furry flank.

The car sat there peacefully, in the sun, with its tail wrapped along the driver's side, under the sill. It almost seemed to be purring, with a knowing smile.