As to what is the car like? in a word - AWESOME.
It's only been road legal for three weeks and with business and weather conspiring to keep me off the road, I've only managed about 500 miles so far. I will say, it is very different from my S. Much more focused, suspension despite being lower and firmer is not uncomfortable and it handles like a dream. Where the S had a vagueness to the steering when running straight - which I attributed to Skyhook, the Strad is pin sharp. Think about the apex and it's already turning in, I can place it anywhere and it sticks to the chosen line.
All the journo's complain about the cambiocorse box, but the Strad takes it to a new level, much much faster change, and it pops on the upshift as well as spitting and crackling on the way down the box. I accept that when in bimble mode the gearbox is a bit agricultural, but if that's my mood I tend to leave it in Sport and just lift slightly as I change. In race mode you only get the best from the box when you nail it. I actually enjoy the involvement it gives me, I feel connected to the gear change, not simply a button actuated auto. GP loaned me a 458 for my birthday, and whilst the box in that is lightning fast, it is strangely uninvolving. You absolutely know it's the computer doing the shift, you merely initiate it by flicking the paddle. Any muppet could drive one of those smoothly, whereas the Strad makes you concentrate and rewards the work when you get it right.
I will further admit that the cabin is now starting to look very dated compared to the competition, but if a plush cabin with lots of hi-tech gizmo's is your bag, buy a BMW. I haven't even turned on the radio yet, far prefer to listen to the orchestral crescendo going on outside.
Can't wait for warmer weather and dry roads.