Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus 2017 first drive

So what, you may wonder, does an additional £25,000 over the entry-level Audi R8 Spyder's £130,000 asking price get you?

Membership of the 600bhp club, for one, because a heightened compression ratio for the mid-mounted 5.2-litre V10 has released an extra 69bhp and 15lb ft. There’s also a 25kg weight saving – although, at 1695kg, the car is hardly dainty – as well as carbon-ceramic brakes, sports seats and no shortage of carbonfibre trim, both inside and out. The resulting performance figures - more on which in a moment - are now a match for anything this side of a McLaren 720S.

The biggest visual differentiator Plus cars get is a sweeping gurney flap on the trailing edge of the rear deck. This, with the carbon rear diffuser, helps develop a claimed 100kg of downforce over the rear axle at top speed. Our test car is also presented in handsome Monterey Green (£3400) with a quilted Cognac Brown interior (£7000) – both are Audi Exclusive options. You could, for no additional cost, have the carbon sills and spoiler painted the same colour as the rest of the car.

As per the standard Spyder, suspension remains by double wishbones all-round, with the quattro four-wheel-drive system capable of sending all available torque to either axle. The rear operates through a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The characteristics of that driveline, as well as for the throttle mapping, steering, exhaust system, optional adaptive dampers and gearbox, can be altered through Audi’s familiar Drive Select function. With a choice of Comfort, Auto and Dynamic for each parameter – in addition to three umbrella programmes for Dry, Wet and Snow – the permutations are plentiful, and an Individual mode usefully allows you to switch the car into your desired set-up at the press of a button.

Those of a shy disposition will abhor the suggestion, but we’d wager that all but the most steadfastly introverted readers would eventually give in to the charms of this steroidal roadster.

You need only lower the 44kg fabric roof and engage Dynamic mode along with the optional sports exhaust. Your right foot will do the rest, as it involuntarily sends the most soulful series-production powerplant on sale to its ear-splitting 8700rpm finale at every opportunity. Lifting out of the throttle offers no respite, functioning as little more than a cue for the engine to drench its exhaust manifold with fuel. The resultant pops and bang are decadent, disorderly and destined to raise a smile time after time.