Nosing ahead

Audi R8 £128,000 (est.) WE SAY: THE SUPERCAR FOR NON-SUPERHERO DRIVERS GETS A MILD REFRESH

The most everyday of the everyday supercars. Might not sound like a vote of confidence, but it is. Because alongside the sound ergonomics, 95th percentile cabin, reliability and build quality you have a screaming 8,700rpm V10. Unusual juxtaposition: Audi, doyen of the aspirational, being one of the last bastions of natural aspiration.

Now with more power. As you can tell by the edgier nose, the R8 has been facelifted. Still a two-model range, but with the Plus now renamed Performance. That’s received a boost from 604 to 612bhp, while the entry level is up from 533 to 562bhp. The rear-drive-only RWS? That’s gone.

Elsewhere, the promise is a sharpened driving experience, achieved by stiffening the suspension, fitting a new carbon-fibre anti-roll bar at the front (40 per cent lighter than the old steel one) and recalibrating the steering – especially the optional variable-ratio Dynamic Steering. The latter is vastly improved, adding more turn-in bite, although personally I’d still have it without. Mid-corner adjustability is great, but you need to think carefully about coming off the throttle if you’re running wide towards the exit – it can bite back. The centre diff is electronically controlled, ensuring it’s a rear-drive car for agility unless it needs a dose of front-drive for security.

The V10 emits a glorious, baleful warble. Its high-rev reactions are tack-sharp, epically forceful, and it all sounds like the opera of the gods. It’s a real point of differentiation. Do you notice the extra power? The new titanium valvetrain components? Of course not. You can’t be analytical at 8,700rpm.

Great at the other extreme, too. Docile, calm and tractable, well mated to the standard-fit twin-clutch seven-speed gearbox and possessing a wonderful cabin. It’s spacious yet intimate, full of beautifully wrought details, tactile materials, tech and peerless ergonomics. Prices will start at around £128,000 – a rise of barely £2,000. Very class-competitive.