With over 180 cars in his personal collection, former television host Jay Leno knows a thing or two about cars old and new. His YouTube channel provides endless hours of amusement for car lovers and his latest video gives an in-depth look at the awe-inspiring McLaren Elva.

"It's the ultimate convertible," says Leno in the opening. "So many cars now are almost too comfy, almost too isolating...I think [the Elva] is the ultimate driver's car." The vehicle's chief engineer, Andrew Kay, told Leno the Elva had a simple brief: create an Ultimate Series car with no windscreen and a low weight target. "That was it. That was the brief."

Weighing in at around 2,800 pounds, the 804-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 hasn't got much to move around. This results in fairly potent performance, with the Elva capable of hitting 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph - a particularly dramatic experience without a windscreen. Stopping power is equally strong, using the same carbon-ceramic brakes as the Senna.

"There are two kind[s] of ways to use the car," explains Kay. "One is without a helmet, and you'd use the active air management system, then, to keep you comfortable. But if you put a helmet on, it's best to turn the air management system off." With it on, air is being directed at your head, and your helmet wobbles and shakes. To get around this, McLaren designed the gauge cluster to resemble a pebble. Kay says this alters the airflow, pushing turbulent air into your chest rather than the helmet, which therefore gets cleaner airflow.

This specific Elva wears a two-tone gold/white paint scheme, paying tribute to the old Elva that had a starring role in Spinout, a 1966 film featuring Elvis Presley.

Tearing around a mountain pass, the gold-colored Elva corners flatly and remains composed. Leno steers the McLaren through a set of bends, discussing the future of supercars as the world heads toward electromobility. Kay expresses concern for the future, noting "I worry a bit for supercars. You can get a Tesla that probably is as fast in a straight line as the Elva is."

But for Leno, cars such as the Elva aren't about performance, but rather the driving experience. The renowned car enthusiast is surprised at just how comfortable the McLaren is, the chief engineer noting that one of the development goals was to have the Elva remain relatively soft and compliant, maximizing driver enjoyment on public roads.

Judging by Leno's verdict, we won't be too surprised to see him add one of the Elva's to his large collection. "I liked this better than the Senna. You can enjoy it [in] California...this is why McLaren is one of my favorite car companies."