Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't cruise control bad for fuel economy runs?

It's quite good in terms of making you plan on how to maintain that speed - lots of anticipation required in not having to touch the brakes or the accelerator once in 400km.

If you're using the throttle yourself it's very easy to put the foot down to get round things - and on/off throttle openings are the enemy of economy, constant (small) throttle openings are the way forward.