From AutoExpress:

It’s the ultimate head-to-head... featuring two of the planet’s most famous cars and one of its greatest-ever drivers. And it’s a twin test that’s been 54 years in the making!

Our mission? To find out if the brand new SLR McLaren Stirling Moss really does have the right to call itself a spiritual successor to the original 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR – the Mille Miglia road race winner reckoned by many to be the world’s most valuable car. And joining us for our exclusive drive is the man the new machine is named after – Sir Stirling Moss himself!
Clearly, it’s going to be an uphill struggle for the McLaren. Before either engine has even been started, Sir Stirling delivers his first blow: “Modern cars don’t interest me much!”

As he slips into the 300 SLR, you can understand why. The older car fits him like a glove, and with its thin-rimmed steering wheel and uncluttered cabin has a simplicity its counterpart can’t hope to match. Then there is the starting ritual: pull out the choke, prime the engine, press the starter button. The 302bhp 2.9-litre barks into life, revving eagerly. If engine speed drops below 2,000rpm, it will stop...

By contrast, the newcomer needs no such coaxing. It lacks the handcrafted feel of the older model, and isn’t as engaging, but is well designed and comfortable. The 650bhp 5.5-litre V8 starts swiftly and settles to an urgent idle, hinting at the performance potential. Moss leaves the line first, and we follow. For a vehicle more than half-a-century old, the 300 SLR is incredibly fast. First gear carries it past 40mph, second to 70mph, third to nearly 100mph... And it’s so loud, you can hear every gearchange from the McLaren’s wind-filled cabin.

Then there’s the smell. The 300 SLR burns an exotic blend of petrol and methyl alcohol, which has an unmistakable odour. Meanwhile, the sight of the car is so special, it’s nearly possible to forget the modern machine completely... But what impresses is that even in this exalted company the McLaren still proves its worth. Clearly, despite Sir Stirling’s dismissive assessment of the new model, he has found enough in its appeal to put his name to it.

And after our short spell at the wheel, we can see why! Its view down the bonnet, amazing in-gear performance and gravity- defying grip are only half the story. We can’t think of another new car with the new SLR’s presence – or uniqueness.

 

I think cars that were famous in the past for what they were, should be left there. Any modern recreations always look tacky to me. It's almost like buying a fake Rolex, although it may look like the real thing, it's not.

 

The new one should have IMO remained as nothing more than a concept...

 

I'd rather be in the 300 SLR.......

 

While the original SLR is certainly better looking, I really think it's awesome that MB had the balls to build the new version.

 

Holy shit is that ugly.