Holden Hurrican Concept Car

Because of all these features, the hand-picked team that created the Holden Hurricane worked in strict secrecy. 'There are some genuinely remarkable ideas and technology in the Hurricane' said the chief studio engineer that led the modern day recreation. 'This was a car that was genuinely ahead of its time.'

A radical concept car built by Vauxhall's Australian sister company Holden has been revived 42 years after it first starred at a motor show - where it debuted many of the high-tech features we now take for granted on today's models several decades before they actually made production.

The Holden Hurricane was powered by a 4.2-litre V8 engine that launched the Holden V8 engine programme. Shortly after the show car's debut, the new V8 hit showrooms in regular passenger saloons.

Even the doors of the Holden Hurricane are remarkable - because there aren't any. Instead, a hydraulic canopy lifts up and forward, with 'astronaut-type' powered seats elevating up and pivoting forward for super-easy (and space age-style) access.

The restoration started in 2006 and has been described as a real labour of love by Holden engineers who carried out all the work in their spare time.

The car wasn't even in a serviceable condition - it had been used in a trade school where apprentices had, over many years, practiced their welding skills on the first-ever Holden concept car!

Thousands of man hours were thus required to bring the Holden back to life. This has been done using as many of the original parts as possible: those that were too far gone to be salvaged have been recreated using modern techniques but to a 1969 specification.

Genty Akylone Supercar

Another day, another supercar: this is the Genty Akylone - and no, we're not making that up. 1,000hp and a sub-1,200kg weight means by the time you've finished laughing this new French rocket ship will have already disappeared over the horizon.

Whether we'll even want one if the project ever gets passed the rendering stage remains to be seen - but Genty is looking to establish its credentials by going after the Nürburgring production car lap record and other headline grabbing benchmarks.

Top 5 Amazing Cars

Lotus Evora

Lotus is turning attention back to the Evora. Previously, it was all about the new cars for 2015, but belatedly, funds have been found to evolve the Evora, too. The GTE stole all the headlines but the standard cars are more significant: they showed off quality and finish enhancements that make them much more appealing.

Bentley Continental GT Bodykit

Bentley has not sold a bodykit for the Continental GT before. It has made the new carbon fibre styling pack available because customers liked the features of the Supersports range. More standout features like this are planned too, a spokesman revealed.

Chrysler Delta

OK, it was badged Lancia in Frankfurt, but will be a Chrysler over here. The upscale Ford Focus alternative was viewed with interest by Brits for the first time this year, because it's now finally on sale in the UK.

Geep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Jeep showed just what the Grand Cherokee platform is capable of, with the super-high performance SRT8 derivative. The impressive machine is better than many feared - which bodes well for the Grand Cherokee-based Maserati Kubang performance SUV, then, also on show at Frankfurt...

Toyota Avensis

This is more than just a facelift, it is the biggest amount Toyota has ever spent on a mid-term revision. The large investment for the British-built car is because of opportunities to boost sales both in Europe and, particularly, in Japan. The Avensis is a rare European Toyota that is exported back to the brand's home country.

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!

Top 10 Green Cars At Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot HX1

Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 has green cars once again at its core. This time though, the far out green concepts are fewer in number - because many of the futuristic green machines are now actually starting to be produced. They were concepts on the motor show floor not too long ago: pretty soon they'll be on the showroom floor.

BMW i3

The electric BMW i3 heralds an entirely new way of building cars, something that electric-only drive demands, says the brand. Thoroughly modern, it will launch BMW's 'i' eco sub brand to the market in 2013.

Peugeot HX1 Gallery

The Peugeot HX1 concept is a breathtaking piece of design, a real standout machine (and not just because of its size). Yet, despite being large and plush, HYbrid4 diesel-electric technology also gives 18 miles' pure electric running and CO2 emissions of just 83g/km. Amazing.

Mazda CX-5

We've already driven a prototype Mazda CX-5: Frankfurt marked its full reveal. Despite being a stylish compact SUV with space for five, Mazda says the diesel version will average 63mpg and emit less than 120g/km CO2. There's much more to come from Mazda SKYACTIV, too...

Smart Forvision

The Smart Forvision previews the look of the next Smart, but it also shows off a huge array of futuristic eco technology. Some of it is closer to production than other parts: it is significant because Smart is becoming Mercedes' eco technology 'think tank'.

Vauxhall RAK e

Vauxhall has wowed everyone with its all-electric 1+1 RAK e. VW and Audi are showing 'urban concepts', yet the Vauxhall is lighter, cheaper, simpler, has a bigger range and even looks more striking.

Mercedes F125

This isn't an ordinary concept, says Mercedes - rather, it looks two whole generations ahead, into what the luxury car of 2025 will be. A battery electric-fuel cell hybrid, apparently, with 'entirely emissions free' status. Sounds green to us.

Ford Focus 1.0 Eco Boost

You read that right: Ford will launch a 1.0-litre Focus next year in the UK, probably one of the smallest engines ever fitted to a UK family car. The promise is sub-120g/km CO2 but, thanks to a turbo helping it produce up to 120hp, good performance too.

Toyota Plus Plug-in Hybrid

The world's best-selling hybrid gains a plug-in option next year: charge it for 1.5 hours and you will get 14.3 miles' pure electric running. Overall, Toyota says this should lower CO2 emissions to 49g/km and reduce fuel consumption to a staggering 134.5mpg.

Fiat Panda

The Fiat Panda is not a standout style revolution, but it is far greener under the surface. Stop start and a new engine range that includes Fiat's trick TwinAir petrol engine trim CO2 emissions - which, as they sell so many, will have a BIG effect on emissions across Europe.

Ferrari 458 Spider

Trust Ferrari to rock up to the Frankfurt Motor Show and steal the thunder of the German heavyweights. You can have the biggest stand in the show but the one with the new convertible Ferrari is always going to be the star.

Ferrari knows this, which is why it's chosen Frankfurt to unveil the 458 Spider. With the coupe still the supercar by which others - including McLaren's MP4-12C - are judged there's little doubt the new Spider will raise Ferrari's game further.

Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar C-X16 Image

Jaguar C-X16 - Gallery

Jaguar has unveiled its rather delectable C-X16 production concept to the world at the Frankfurt motor show. Yes, production concept. As in, ready to be produced. For petrolhead consumption.

Jaguar C-X16 Picture

Stunning Jaguar C-X16

No doubt you've got the salient facts laser-printed into your memory, primed and ready to pounce on any unsuspecting Porsche 911 enthusiasts you may come across. But, in case you've forgotten, they are thus.

Jaguar C-X16 Luxurious Car

The Beauty Jaguar C-X16

It's has a 3.0-litre supercharged V6. It has a KERS-style motor generator for a 95bhp boost. It has a boost button. It has 50:50 weight distribution. It emits 165g/km of CO2 and will hit 62mph in 4.4 seconds. It has the Porsche 911 in its sights.