Top 10 Super Cars At Frankfurt Motor Show 2011

BMW i8

There are plenty of supercars at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. OK, perhaps not quite as many as at the Geneva show earlier in the year. But plenty to whet the appetite and distract from the endless do-good eco concepts.

And they're from the big hitters too. Ferrari. Mercedes. Aston Martin. Jaguar. Lotus. Even Porsche. All names that resonate with history and proud tradition and have roots on the race track as well as the road. Here are the 10 best supercars at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Ferrari 458 Spider

And you thought the 458 Italia couldn't be improved? It's still the more hardcore, purist choice. But, let's face it, a Ferrari should be about soaking up the glory as well as the sun and how better to do it than in the new 458 Spider. Glorious!

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Rather more traditional than the 458 Spider with its front-engined layout and fabric roof, the soft-top version of the SLS is no less desirable. Already one of the best-sounding cars on the market, out in the open you'll really be able to hear that 571hp V8 sing.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin didn't need to bring the V12 Zagato from the racetrack to make it cool. That it did so just takes it to a new level. Harking back to the stunning DB4 Zagato of the 1960s the new V12 Zagato is respectful of this heritage without being stuck in the past. Stunning.

Audi R8 GT Spyder

Lovers of open-top supercars really are spoilt for choice at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. With 560hp and 85kg stripped out of the kerbweight the R8 GT Spyder matches its hardcore coupe brother almost to the letter. Customer demand means 66 have been secured for the UK - double the number of coupes.

Jaguar C-X16

We're possibly getting ahead of ourselves here - the C-X16 is still a concept. But it's got all the ingredients to be a winner, stunning looks just one of them. We love the compact size too. And the neat integration of hybrid tech just adds to the thrill.

Lotus Exige

Always the hardcore choice in the range, the new V6-powered Exige has put clear ground between itself and its Elise brother with a serious step up in power to 350hp and a dramatically more aggressive look. Stunning.

Lotus Evora

Two Lotuses in the top 10? Deservedly, Lotus's Frankfurt display full of real product rather than the mere concepts of Paris a year ago. £120K for an Evora though? Carbon bodied and packing 444hp and an automated manual gearbox - the fact it sounds viable is all that needs to be said.

Porsche 911

The 911 is so ubiquitous it's sometimes easy to dismiss it from the leagues of 'real' supercars. But this all-new car is something very serious. In 400hp 'S' trim and with a PDK gearbox it'll even hit 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds and do 188mph. Super enough for you?

Lamborghini

Sticking an outrageous wing on the back and trying to convince the world Italian racing red belongs to the Raging Bull is exactly the kind of front only Lamborghini can get away with. The Gallardo may be old but Lambo's clearly not done flogging it yet!