Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Emission laws could kill a speed tradition

Corvette ZR1.

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.