Emission laws could kill a speed tradition

The 2009 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, most powerful automobile ever produced by General Motors, will be unveiled at next month's Detroit motor show. It features an all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine targeted to produce a massive 460kW and approximately 800Nm of torque.

The ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to make a top speed of at least 320km/h. However, the Corvette's chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, says the 2009 ZR1 may be the last in a long tradition due to new US fuel economy and emission regulations.