Top 10 Supercars Of 2011 – The Coolest, Best & Most Exciting Cars In The World This Year

Without a doubt, Lamborghini’s new Aventador created the biggest splash in 2011: it was the star of every major motor show after its debut at Geneva in March. We just hope our supercar of the year gets a proper motorsports program.

Geneva also brought us the new Koenigsegg, Pagani and Ferrari which solidifies its spot as the supercar show of the year with Dubai taking a close second.

Top restoration of the year has to go to Jerry Seinfeld’s 550 Prototype which debuted as part of the Rennsport Reunion IV festivities. Peter Mullin’s 1934 Voisin C25 also gets a special mention for winning Pebble Beach.

This year, our best supercars of 2011 list is made up of 21 cars (yes, we know we always call it a top 10 supercars list and never actually have only 10 cars). It was a solid group of amazing performance cars for 2011 with a nice mix of cars from the usual manufacturers as well as a return to form for brands like Jaguar and McLaren. 

Related: Don’t forget to check out all our best supercar lists for more insanity. 

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

Nobody does supercars like Lamborghini

Aventador replaces the outgoing Murcièlago as Lamborghini’s top model. Faster and lighter than its predecessor, the Aventador makes extensive use of carbon fiber as well as a redesigned drive line to reduce nearly 200 lbs of weight. Outward styling is a direct evolution of the Reventón design with much larger side intakes in front of the rear wheels. The entire body and monocoque is produced in-house by Automobili Lamborghini using Resin Transfer Moulding. Some of the panels make use of Epoxy foam in between the layers while others are fitted with aluminum pick-up points for the front and rear aluminum subframes. The new twelve-cylinder with 6.5 liters’ displacement and 515 kW / 700 hp brings together the ultimate in high-revving pleasure with astonishing low-end torque. Learn more…

Pagani Huayra

Horatio’s second masterpiece

The Huayra is Pagani’s second supercar following the successful Zonda. Similar in design, it uses a Mercedes-sourced V12 engine and takes advantage of Pagani’s in-house carbon fiber expertise. Pagani thoroughly revised their production process to tool up for the Huayra. It uses a different type of construction, involving extensive use of titanium throughout the chassis and suspension. Pagani says that many of the techniques developed for the Zonda R track-day supercar were used in the Huayra’s construction. The engine is a version of the Mercedes-Benz V12 specifically developed for Pagani. Called the M158, power output is raised to nearly 700 with use of two turbochargers. Learn more…

Koenigsegg Agera R

1,115 bhp of Swedish Charm

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Koenigsegg released a new version of their Agera featuring the 5.0-liter Biofuel engine first seen in the CCXR. Along with several upgrades, the new model has a Borg Warner-developed twin turbo system and an optional active rear wing. Learn more…

Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4

Aston Martin Racing has launched a new Vantage GT4 for 2011. The new V8 engined racing car takes design inspiration from Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce. It also has a remapped 4.7 litre engine offering increased levels of power and torque. Learn more…

Shelby GT500 Coupe

200 mph mustang from Ford

We can’t wait for this one to hit the production floor. The ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model (it was shown this year so it counts) that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph. Learn more…

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato

Anglo-Italo Success, Track Ready

Following the release of the V12 Vantage in 2009, Zagato of Milan worked in cooperation with Aston Martin to make a new bespoke race car on the V12 platform. One year later Aston Martin officially took over the car and released a production version at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Inspiration for the new endurance race car came from the original DB4 Zagato which was used as Aston’s best chance at beating Ferrari. Naturally, the new car takes several cues from the old design including the double-bubble roof line. Learn more…

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale

Reinvented Viper

As a late celebration of the 2010 Alfa Romeo Centennial, Zagato released a rebodied Dodge Viper and called it the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale for the 2011 Villa d’Este Concours. The “TZ3 program” managed by Zagato to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Alfa Romeo (1910-2010) ends with the delivery of the TZ3 Stradale. The initiative started in 2009 with the manufacturing of the “one off” TZ3 Corsa which won the Villa D’Este Design Concept Award in 2010 and followed with nine (9) TZ3 Stradale. Learn more…

Ferrari FF

World’s top 4-Seater

Replacing the 612 as Ferrari’s newest 2+2 is the Ferrari Four or simply FF. More than any other production Ferrari it breaks with the companies past by featuring a 4WD drivetrain that makes use of a twin-clutch transmission and a 6262cc version of Ferrari’s 65º V12. The engine produces 660 bhp which eclipses any other car in the same class such as the Aston Martin Rapide or Porsche Panamera. As such it can reach 0-100 kph in only 3.7 seconds. Learn more…

BMW i8 Concept

The Future by BMW

The BMW Group showcases its visions of future mobility in the shape of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept studies. Unveiled for the first time, these concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014. Learn more…

SSC Tuatara

Twin-turbo V8 with 1,350 bhp

Tuatara is the second all-new supercar made by Jerod Shelby’s Shelby SuperCars Inc. Its radical body by Jason Castriota is fully modern and has two flying winglets on the rear of the car for which the car derives its name. Plans for the design might include a twin-turbocharged V8 that will produce 1350 bhp. With a curb weight of just 2600 pounds, the car should be capable of 275 mph. This is possible from extensive carbon fiber fabrication that pushes the cost of the car to nearly $1,000,000 USD. Learn more…

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Another extreme Gallardo 

This new and most extreme top model in the Gallardo lineup is based on the successful race car from the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, the world’s fastest single make series. The car will be produced in a limited run of 150 numbered units. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo championship brings professional racers and gentlemen drivers face-to-face in fiercely fought battles on Europe’s most challenging racetracks such as Monza, Silverstone and Hockenheim. There are many similarities between the racing and road versions of this super sports car. For example, they both share the same V10 powerplant, which is used in the racing version with no modifications. Learn more…

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

No more gullwing doors. More open top fun 

Following the gullwing coupe, the open-top SLS is the second car developed entirely by AMG. It’s performance credentials are almost as high as the SLS Coupe thanks to extensive use of aluminum in the chassis and the same 563 bhp M159 V8. Learn more…

Ferrari Superamerica 45

For the 2011 Villa d’Este Concours, Ferrari will officially present their latest custom car to come from the personalization program. Called the Super America 45, it was built for collector Peter Kalikow have cues from the original 410 and 400 Superamericas of the 1950s. Learn more…

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series

An absolute beast

Spectacular design, technology transfer from the world of motorsport and driving dynamics at the highest level; the new Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series embodies the new AMG brand claim, Driving Performance, like no other AMG model. The new high-performance vehicle is the most powerful C-Class of all time, boasting a maximum output of 380 kW (517 hp) and a maximum torque of 620 newton metres. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine impresses with its hefty torque, tremendous pulling power and responsiveness, and ensures high-calibre performance: the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds (all data provisional). Learn more…

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Lightest and most powerful Maserati you can buy

The new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale will be the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011. Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, the two-seater Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale that will debut at the Paris Auto Show will feature razor-sharp handling and will break the 300km/h barrier. Learn more…

McLaren MP4-12C

Not perfect, but pretty bloody good

The new McLaren isn’t perfect but it is a really great first attempt and we already know McLaren will tinker with it to make it perfect. The MP4-12C uses a carbon fibre composite chassis, and is powered by a longitudinally-mounted McLaren M838T 3.8 L (3,799 cc) twin-turbocharged V8 engine, generating approximately 600 PS (592 hp; 441 kW) at 7,500 rpm and around 600 N⋅m (443 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 5,600 rpm. The car makes use of Formula 1-sourced technologies such as “brake steer”, where the inside rear wheel is braking during fast cornering to reduce understeer. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission manufactured by SSG. The entire drivetrain is the first to be entirely designed and produced in house by McLaren. Learn more…

Ferrari 458 Spider

Best convertible ever

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrari’s class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated with the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics. Learn more…

Jaguar XKR-S

Jag finally has its groove back

Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, the XKR-S is the most extreme expression yet of Jaguar’s passion for building beautiful, fast cars. For the first time with a series production car, Jaguar gains entry to the exclusive ‘300kph club’ thanks to the effortless performance of the supercharged 5.0-litre AJ-V8 engine. A revised fuelling map means the direct-injection powerplant now produces 550PS and 680Nm of torque. Extensive recalibration has ensured that power delivery and performance are seamless, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds. The Performance active exhaust encourages and rewards the enthusiastic driver with dramatic, motorsport-inspired aural feedback. Learn more…

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

Pure perfection. A future classic

Built to homologate the 2011 GT3 RSR racecar, the RS 4.0 is fitted with the 3996 cc engine which raises power output from roughly 444 to 500 bhp. It is easily identified by its new wings and front winglets just ahead of the front wheels. The new model purveys thoroughbred motorsport technology to its innermost core. The flat engine’s crankshaft has been lifted unchanged from the 911 GT3 RSR racing car’s six cylinder engine and the forged pistons’ connecting rods are fashioned from titanium. The four-litre displacement sports engine, the biggest 911 model line engine ever, is also the most powerful naturally aspirated engine with 125 hp/litre (92 kW). It achieves its maximum power of 368 kW (500 hp) at 8,250 revs per minute. The engine delivers its maximum torque of 460 Newton metres at 5,750 rpm. Learn more…

Aston Martin One-77

It made our list two years in a row

Yes I know we are technically cheating because the Aston Martin One-77 made our list last year as a concept. Take one look at the car and its technical specifications and it is impossible not to include it in our best supercars of 2011 list too. The car uses a carbon fiber tub from Multimatic of Canada in combination with an aluminum body. The DB9 engine was modified by Cosworth and enlarged to 7.3 liters. New cylinder heads were produced to optimize flow and as a result, Aston Martin are currently making the most powerful normally aspirated engine on the market. Learn more…