Car Statistics: Mercedes - McLaren SLR Series 07 (3 stars)

Styling (2 stars)

The McLaren's gawky proportions looked strange when it was launched and the subsequent years haven't been kind. Unlike anything else - but not in a good way. Side-exit exhaust is due to the risk of a hot pipe melting the carbonfibre bodywork.

Handling (3 stars)

Grip levels are massive - but you don't want to be in the same postcode when they get exceeded. Offers plenty of brutal speed but lacks finesse.

Comfort (4 stars)

Probably the easiest hyper-car to spend time in thanks to a well proportioned cabin and reasonable noise insulation.

Quality (4 stars)

Built by McLaren to the highest standards. The bodywork is made from carbonfibre and the finish is excellent. The cabin is very well screwed together too - although some bits of it do still feel a bit Mercedes-ish.

Performance (5 stars)

Nobody could object to the way the McMerc lifts up its skirts - one of the quickest land-based objects on the planet. Small wonder they don't use one as an F1 pace car - the pack would have trouble keeping up.

Roominess (3 stars)

Extremely poor by supermini standards, but actually not half bad by the odd criteria of cars at this end of the market. Driver and passenger both enjoy plenty of room - and they'll even get to bring some bags along, too.

Costs (1 star)

Don't even consider the Merc if your net worth only trails seven or even eight zeros. Running costs are scary - and long-term depreciation is likely to be acute, too.

Value (1 star)

Considering the marginal benefits in performance it offers over vastly cheaper rivals its hard to see the McLaren as making any financial sense - although that's not likely to matter at this end of the market. Suffice to say, you can buy a better car for well under half the money.

Stereo (4 stars)

The audio system gives excellent performance, even when cruising at very high speeds.