Verdict
Driving an R8 in today's congested society is both utterly joyful and deeply saddening. There's barely a stretch of road in the UK that isn't littered with speed cameras, variable speed limits and road works.
In fact, I had to drive a good 50 miles from my home on the south coast to find somewhere suitable to even begin to experience what this machine can do. It's too good for any normal road.
To add insult to injury, the digital readouts said I was achieving 11.9mpg, so that 100-mile trip for a quick blast along a B-road didn't come cheap. You need very deep pockets to run one of these things and unless you live in the back of beyond or have regular access to a clear race circuit, the R8 will merely be a very expensive commuting tool.
When placed next to next-generation sports cars like the Honda NSX and the upcoming Ford GT, the massive V10 feels like a relic from a bygone era. It's sneered at by fellow road users doing their bit for the ice caps in 1.0-litre petrol cars or hybrid saloons.
But Audi knows that planet-loving supercar buyers do exist, which is why it will unveils the all-electric R8 e-tron next year.
It uses twin electric motors on the rear axle and a powerful lithium-ion battery to ensure it rockets from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. Expect a good 280-miles from a single battery charge, too.
But my word that engine note will be missed.
Model: Audi R8 V10 Plus
Price: From £134,500
Engine: 5.2-litre V10 petrol
Power: 601bhp
Top speed: 205mph
0-62mph: 3.2sec
Official economy: 23.0mpg
CO2: 287g/km