Best race cars of the 2015 Frankfurt motor show

The Frankfurt motor show is an event for cars that eventually come to market, rather than flights of fancy.

Not everything on display is intended for road use though, and this year there was a bumper harvest of racers - some designed for real circuits and some built as one-offs to be replicated in the virtual world.

Related: Top concept cars of the 2015 Frankfurt motor show
More: Top production cars of the 2015 Frankfurt motor show
Plus: Top prestige and luxury cars of the 2015 Frankfurt motor show

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo

Bugatti's extreme racer was designed for the PlayStation game Gran Turismo. But at Frankfurt it emerged from the virtual realm to be made flesh. Or, rather, carbon fibre. Bugatti says Vision Gran ­Turismo is a reward for its fans who cannot afford the record-breaking Veyron itself. That's most of us, since it costs millions and only 450 were built over its 10-year run. As well as honouring Bugatti's motorsport glories in the 1920s and 30s, Vision Gran ­Turismo points the way to the Veyron's successor.

BMW M6 GT3

BMW M6 GT3

Every self-respecting carmaker above a certain level caters to its more talented customers with a racing version of a road car that can compete in the production-based GT3 category. The M6 GT3 is a motorsport M6 stripped back to racing essentials. It weighs just 1.3 tonnes. It's powered by a twin-turbo V8, driving the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, and features advanced aerodynamics. BMW's flagship customer racer will be ready for the chequered flag next year.

Honda Project 2&4

Honda Project 2&4

This oddly named machine celebrates Honda's role as the world's leading engine maker for two and four wheels, it says. In fact, its full title includes the words "powered by RC213V" — a reference to the 1.0-litre V4 racing motorcycle engine that powers this open-wheeler. The result of an in-house design competition, the frame and functional parts of Project 2&4 are exposed. It combines "the most thrilling elements of riding a motorcycle with the most engaging characteristics of driving a car".

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo

Hyundai chose Frankfurt to declare its performance ambitions with a sub-brand called N, and its N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo could be a taste of what's to come. Like the ­Bugatti Vision, this car was created for PlayStation's Gran Turismo game, although it looks as though it's ready to take on the Le Mans . The concept is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system backed up by a super-capacitor, with total output of 660kW. But it is a version of Hyundai's i20 small car that competes in the World Rally Championship.