Audi R8 Spyder is one of best super cars ever produced - but could be one of the last

It is amazing how the cars of the future can so quickly become the dinosaurs of the past.

Automotive progress accelerates at such a pace that what is on moment borderline science-fiction is, within a few years, considered dated technology.

Nowhere is this apt that the world of supercars, every few months a new model is unveiled which Top Trumps the competition.

Power, top speed, acceleration, braking and handling figures are pushed ever higher. Then frequently a game-changing technology or material, such as carbon-fibre, variable turbos, torque vectoring and electrification, and rips up the record books.

But as we stand the Audi R8 Spyder must rank one of best super cars ever produced, but it could be one of the last.

While the death of the monstrous big-engined sports car has been widely exaggerated the power plant in the R8 is definitely on the endangered list.

Naturally aspirated with 5.2 litres of capacity in 10 cylinders it produces 533 bhp of neck-snapping thunderous power.

That is the same as the output from almost SIX Ford Fiesta 1.6l Zetecs.

To put it another way - it will hit 62 mph from rest in 3.6 seconds and 124 mph in 11.8 seconds. Oh and top out at 197 mph.

A decade ago the first generation R8 drew gasps with is futuristic design and stats. Its 4.2 litre V8 produced 423 bhp and hit the benchmark sprint in 4.5 seconds on its way to 187 mph.

And those figures are for the hard top, this second generation Spyder would leave if for dust.

There is also the current bonkers V10 Plus with 602 bhp and a 3.2 seconds acceleration time, but that is not available as a convertible.

Lopping off the roof means the structure needs to be reinforced with thicker aluminium sills and windscreen supports and a re-engineered rear bulkhead to accommodate the 44kg roof mechanism.

Normally this is the part where reviews grumble that all that weight is high up with a detrimental effect on the handling.

But the R8 sits so low down, when I parked next to a Mini I had to crane my neck to look up at it.