Road Test: Audi R8 5.2 FSI [570] V10 LMX Quattro 2dr S Tronic

It’s time to bid farewell to one of the finest sports cars of this millennium. As you can read below, Audi is, of course, replacing the R8, but driving this last-of-the-line LMX is a reminder of just how good it still is. It might not be the most practical, but I still think there’s a case for suggesting that this is the best-judged all-round supercar of them all.

It’s cosy inside with wonderful seats, is so easy to drive smoothly, plus has a peerless seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, a rigid, beautifully balanced chassis, crisp, incisive road manners and a peach of an engine. For me, the snarling 4.2-litre V8 is the peachier of the pair, although this 99-strong limited-edition model is unsurprisingly fitted with the beefier, more cultured 5.2-litre V10.

The power has been turned up to liberate an extra 20bhp over the current V10 Plus model, which it didn’t really need. However, if nothing else, this is a reminder that there’s nothing to beat a large-capacity, naturally aspirated engine for noise, response and purity. I’m surprised but happy that Audi has managed to swerve CO₂ concerns and keep this V10 for the next-generation car. I thought we’d be getting turbos for sure, and quite possibly some sort of electric hook-up. Not like a camper van’s.

Anyway, the major talking point of this car is the laser headlights. Yes, really. An additional main beam bulb is included, comprising four laser diodes, which a phosphor converter transforms into white light. Drive at 37mph or more and, when you engage main beam, the lasers activate. The claim is that they double the effective range of standard LED lights, but the cone of light is small and doesn’t make much difference – they’re neither as clever nor useful as the Matrix LED lamps available in the new TT. So don’t pay £160,000 just to get the headlights, pay it to own one of the very best supercars of the past 20 years.