Audi RS5 vs McLaren Artura

What's the difference?

Audi's A5 Coupe and Sportback have always been good looking cars. Yes, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but seriously, just look at one and tell me it's not handsome.

Happily, the just-updated RS5 doesn't just build on the looks of its more sedate sibling, but on the performance, too, adding near-supercar speed to those supermodel looks. 

Sounds like a pretty good match, right? Let's find out, shall we?

Obviously the headline item of the new McLaren Artura Spider is the ability to drop the top and feel the wind in your hair, or, should you live in Melbourne, at least the damp mist on your face.

But this new plug-in powerhouse has plenty more to offer than just its folding hardtop.

The coupe and convertible are more powerful, there’s a new and louder exhaust, faster gear shifts, a richer rev range, better suspension and better braking.

Oh, and there's a new feature designed to unlock your inner hooligan, but we’ll come back to that one in just a moment...

But at its core, the Artura Spider is a plug-in hybrid monster that goes someway to previewing the future of the supercar species.

Does electrification enhance the excitement? We strapped in to find out.