IN THIS FEATURE The Gordon connection Race and street car rolled into one More money than brains

I could use maybe more McLaren and less Mercedes in the SLR. For example, I don't need an electric seat. I don't know how much that weighs, but I could sacrifice it. I would prefer an oil temperature gauge rather than just a little light that goes on. Also, if you're in the SLR and you've got the cruise control activated, you might as well go home and get the estate car. I don't know need all that. Nor do I use it. The paddle shifting thing doesn't quite work for me, either. I know you can shift it yourself, but it feels like trying to beat a computer at chess. Lastly, I have yet to play a CD in it; the SLR's entertaining enough without distractions.

All the electronic gadgetry goes unused

I've driven it with the traction control off and on, and even when it's in the off position, I don't believe the traction control is completely switched off. The Germans never give up complete control! I think they know I've got more money than brains, so they left it a little bit on.

The heavy SLR feels German to drive, but its handling feels British. I know Gordon Murray would probably have preferred a rear-engined car, so this is about as brilliant a compromise as you could come up with.

Build quality is what I expect from Gordon and McLaren, too. When I look at my little Rocket or when I look at my F1 McLaren, where two points join, all the gaps are consistent. Same on the SLR.

SLR has spiritual racing heritage

Perhaps the biggest draw of the SLR for me is its heritage. You say SLR and you imagine Stirling Moss in the Mercedes SLR. I guess there's no inherent connection, but there is a spiritual one. It's the osmosis of a great racing pedigree.

Jay Leno was talking to Jeremy Hart