The standard Aventador was powerful enough and looked impressive enough, but it failed to engage fully with the senses. There was a lack of communication, a certain clumsiness unless you were at warp speed on a track, a slight fumbling of the ride quality. So Lamborghini has addressed these issues by, on the surface, upping the power by 50bhp and upping the price by £60,000.

Then they limited the production run to 600 and stuck a Superveloce badge on. But of course the Italian maestros did a lot more than that. And what they have done has transformed the supercar.

Importantly, they’ve transformed it for driving in the real world. Over normal roads the Aventador is supremely improved, the ride a muscular balance of feedback and epic levels of adhesion in the corners. The improved dynamic steering rack imparts total accuracy and a wealth of feedback so you can explore those far horizons of grip.

The adaptive dampers and recalibrated all-wheel drive system on the Superveloce allow a totally fluid and controlled ride which is mind-bendingly good. At the rear, the fixed rear wing generates so much downforce that that increase of 50bhp is necessary to simple balance out the downward thrust above 125mph.

With nearly 500bhp per tonne, the 6498cc V12 always gave enough power – 740bhp in the Superveloce – but now it can be more fully explored. You won’t need more than second or third on the road, and that gives you electrifying performance that will pin you to the seat back. Give the chassis the middle of the three modes – Strada, Sport and Corsa – and you’re perfectly placed to explore performance horizons that will soon make you see why this car earns the Superveloce name.

Inside, sit in the new Superveloce-branded bucket seats, hands on the flat-bottomed wheel, and enjoy the large areas of Alcantara, along with a pared-down cabin with equally lovely lacquered carbonfibre on the scissor doors. Press the button and the big V12 charismatic idle is almost overshadowed by all the fans kicking in to keep everything cool. Once on the move, though, and you’ll be entranced by all your senses.

The Aventador Superveloce is nearly triple the price of the even more remarkable Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but that’s probably not going to bother potential purchasers, who will be swayed by the show-stopper appearance and the awesome power of that big V12. But the Superveloce is a significant improvement on its more normal predecessor, making it one of the fastest cars on the road, and one of the most enjoyable.

Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce

Location: UK

On sale: Now

Price: £321,743

Engine: V12, 6498cc, petrol

Power: 740bhp at 8400rpm

Torque: 509lb ft at 5500rpm

Gearbox: 7-spd automated manual

Kerb weight: 1525kg (dry)

Top speed: 217mph

0-62mph: 2.8sec

Economy: 17.7mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band: 370g/km, 37%