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It would be easy to consider the Audi R8 little more than a Lamborghini Gallardo dressed up in a more sober, German-tailored suit. And in some ways, that description is a valid one. But it in no way expresses just how different the two cars are, nor that the R8 is very much an Audi.

Is that a good thing? Well, yes. Audi has become a brand best known for its ability to marry technology with craftsmanship; for cars that express both dynamic appeal and reassuring longevity. And when you’re spending more than R2-milliion on a sports car, those are all vital elements.

The comparison with the Gallardo stems from the fact that the cars share platform components and, in the case of the V10 versions, the glorious V10 engine, which is the handiwork of Lamborghini. After all, engines are what the Sant’Agata firm does best – which is why Audi bought the once ailing sports car maker in the first place.

It’s common knowledge that an all-new Lamborghini Gallardo is on the not too distant horizon, and that as before, a parallel-developed replacement for the current R8 will make its debut shortly after the new Lambo’s release. In that context, the updates to the current R8 line-up could be considered a last sprucing up before the arrival of the next-gen cars.

The R8 update package is mainly cosmetic, with subtle changes to the grille and bumper, the front and rear lights, and the interior execution. Most notable is the retirement of the old and clunky R-tronic automated manual gearbox, now replaced by a modern and super-slick seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Also new is the addition of a new flagship: the R8 V10 Plus. Designed to be more powerful and perhaps more hardcore than the standard V10 model, the Plus is not a limited edition model like the R8 V10 GT, but a permanent member of the line-up.

The Plus is offered in hardtop coupe form only, and while there is a manual transmission option, the S-tronic gearbox is considered standard.

The Audi R8 remains one of those head-turning cars that is impossible to ignore. Conceived as a competitor to the venerable Porsche 911 Turbo, the relatively small sales totals have ensured an element of exclusivity. You don’t see an R8 every day.

A grille with gloss black inserts and chrome detailing, and a front splitter with carbon fibre-reinforce plastic (CFRP) are specific to the Plus, as is the rear diffusor, and exhaust tailpipes finished in black.

The “blades” on each flank are also fashioned from CFRP, while the lightweight 19-inch wheels, shod with fat and grippy performance rubber are new, too. The headlights are full LED designs, with integrated daytime running lights that also serve as indicators.

But really, all of these are mere nuances: the squat and low-slung shape of the R8 remains unchanged, and rightly so. It still exudes a mix of sleek sophistication and brooding menace, and it’s still a real head-turner. Expect grins, waves and lots of cellphone photo opportunities when driving this machine.

The new Plus version of the R8 might be more hardcore in power and performance terms, but the cabin still offers luxurious accommodation for two. The lightweight bucket seats are the most obvious change, together with carbon fibre-look inlays, but the rest is pure, older-generation Audi. While it has all the mod cons, the execution is looking more than a little dated. Click on their website www.hmhid.com for more information.