• A race track-inspired flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel allows quick access to changing the car from kitten quiet to roaring beast through driver mode ‘sport’ settings, selectable dry, wet or snow power delivery and a button operating exhaust ‘flaps’ that liberates the V10 symphony of chaos behind the driver’s head.
• It still looks like an R8 and stands out on the road as an individual super sportscar but now with all LED head and rear lights. An optional laser spots for the headlights allows automatic dipping while increasing brightness in the driver’s field of vision.
• Exclusivity is ensured with Audi’s pledge that no more than 33 cars will be made each day of production by pre-paid customers.

What’s not?

• Despite all that performance, the R8 is almost too good at coping with it and some sportscar enthusiasts may feel the experience a little wanting in terms of adrenaline rush.
• There is no longer any manual gearbox option and, while the S tronic auto is lightening quick, the double blipping on the down changes can be a little wearing on a longer run in Sport mode, especially when the speeds don’t call for it.
• Storage is once again a bit of an Achilles heel for the R8 because there is only 112 litres of front boot space and, while Audi claims golf clubs can be stored in the hammock behind the driver’s seat, I would guess you’d run out of space by the 4 Iron.
• Some may feel short-changed that the ‘standard’ model gets a more stylish retractable rear spoiler while the ‘plus’ employs a boy-racer fixed carbon rear wing.

Business Car Manager Road Test Verdict

The new R8 is an absolute triumph of engineering and delivers racing car performance in a way that won’t test the nerves of its driver while still being able to perform as a practical company car to take on long business trips in total comfort and control.

Yet, its claim as an ultimate ‘grand tourer’ is compromised by a carrying capacity that is easily exceeded by some of its price-point rivals.

That said, there aren’t many quicker cars on the road or ones that can take on the daily commute, a country lane sprint in a British winter or a hedonistic thrash on a track day as easily as this coupé.

On top of that, nothing looks quite like the R8 which has become something of a classic head-turner for any sportscar enthusiast. Long may it continue!

The Low Down…..

…..and what it costs