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Considered one of the motoring events of the year, the 61st Frankfurt Auto Show showcased some of the industry's finest automobile machinery. The biennial event is Europe's biggest car show and this year approximately 1,000 companies from carmakers to parts manufacturers participated in the event.

With Sustainable Transportation as its theme, it was easy to see why European automakers demonstrated a new interest in hybrid and electric vehicles at this year's show. In this retrospective, we take a look at some of the most exciting models that were showcased this year.

Aston martin DBS

James Bond's car in Casino Royale is a combination of elegance and innovative engineering. Race-derived materials and components such as carbon fibre and aluminium are used to convey the lines and curves of the DBS. As the hand-built V12 6.0-litre engine producing 510hp at 6,500rpm propels it from 0-100kmh in 4.3 seconds and all the way to a top speed of 307kmh, it will leave most non-MI5 agents shaken and not stirred.

Mini Clubman

For those who find the interior of the Mini a bit tight, the Mini Clubman is the car they are waiting for. The increased 80mm extra wheelbase gives rear passengers extra legroom and added boot space. The car even has a pair of barn doors at the back. Also new is the rear door similar to that of the Mazda RX-8 on the driver's side. It was deemed too costly to re-engineer the body shell for the right-hand drive markets. Engine wise it remains the same as the hatch with its 172hp 1.6-litre turbo from the Cooper S. However, performance is slightly blunted due to the extra 65kg.

Brabus Bullit

One of the most powerful cars at the show was the Brabus Bullit. Brabus has proven that they are the ultimate in major heart transplants for large and extremely powerful engines into the bodies of small cars. Their qualities have led them to numerous world records and entries into the Guinness Book of World Records. The Brabus Bullit is a small-series production based on the new Mercedes Benz C-Class sedan. Its heart is a SV12 S Biturbo engine that was originally designed for the worldÕs fastest sedan, the Brabus Rocket. The 6.3-litre engine fit into the W 204 series body produces 720hp and an amazing 1,320Nm of torque. The top speed is estimated to be more than 360kmh, which says plenty about BrabusÕs superiority.

Lamborghini Reventon

The one-million-euro Lamborghini is a special edition based on the LP640 and only 20 are being made, all of which have already been sold. Before it was revealed in Frankfurt it was shown as a scale model to prospective buyers at a private viewing at the Pebble Beach Concoures Elegance in California in August.

The car, created by Lamborghini's Centro Stile in SantAgata Bolognese, has been designed with modern aeronautics in mind the F-22 Raptor fighter jet in particular. The deep air intakes in the front bumper and the sharp pointed nose are to cool the front carbon-brake discs and six-pot calipers, as they have to stop the car with its V12 6.5-litre engine producing 641hp and 487 lb-ft (Nm) of torque at 6,000rpm.

It accelerates from 0-100kmh in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 340kmh. LamborghiniÕs designers love details as it shows on this car with all its pointed finishes. It is showcased by the fuel-filler cap which is milled from a solid block of aluminium. The wheels are black five spoke alloys with carbon fibre fins that create a turbine effect in the wheels to further aid brake cooling. Gear changes are the same six-speed e-gear gearbox from the LP640. The interior has been dramatically changed with alcantara leather, aluminium and carbon fibre to make it a truly driver-focused cockpit. The instrument dials consist of three TFT screens which can be programmed to display the G forces the car is experiencing on a 3D grid display. Regular circular dials can be shown at a flick of a switch.

Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 Pur Sang

The Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang or pure blood is a special edition of the Veyron. Its two-tone colour scheme comes with a difference as it has no paint on the exterior Ðjust aluminium and carbon fibre. It is mechanically identical to the other Veyrons with its quad turbo W16 engine and four-wheel drive system. The engine produces 1,000hp and a top speed of 407kmh, and it might sprint to 100kmh a fraction faster due to the weight saved from the lack of paint (estimated to be 100kg). The highly polished aluminium and carbon fibre gives it a perfectly tensioned shape that strongly defines the Veyron. Only five are to be built at a cost of US$2mn. All have been sold, one within 24 hours of the announcement. The Pur Sang starts a series Bugatti individualisation programmes which have been born out of customer demands for bespoke features on their cars. Four more series of limited run cars are planned over the coming years.