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December 2, 2008 11:36:31 AM CST

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The Last Muscle Car?

Posted Dec 20, 07 6:35 PM CST in Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – GM will unveil the latest version of the Corvette at the Detroit auto show next month in all its supercharged, performance-car glory. But the 2009 Corvette ZR1 may actually be the last of an endangered breed—the Detroit muscle car. The new energy bill, with its stricter fuel economy standards, could make such models obsolete, the AP reports.

"High-performance vehicles such as this may actually be legislated out of existence,” said Corvette’s chief engineer. Under the bill, GM would have to offset cars like the ZR1 by producing others that run at 45mpg. But others say it’s too early to count out muscle cars. Even if they’re powered by smaller or electric motors, “Americans typically want to buy big, high-performance, fun cars,” said an industry analyst.

Source Associated Press

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This image provided by General Motors Corporation shows the 2009 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, most powerful automobile ever produced by General Motors Thursday, December 20, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. (AP...   (Associated Press)
This image provided by General Motors Corporation shows the 2009 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, most powerful automobile ever produced by General Motors Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. (AP Photo/HO...   (Associated Press)
The Corvette ZR1 features an all-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine targeted to produce 620 horsepower and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque. The ZR1 is expected to be the first production Corvette...   (Associated Press)
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Corvette ZR1 Flies at Monterey Sports Car Challenge   (CorvetteBlogger (YouTube))

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General Motors • Detroit • energy bill • fuel economy standards • Detroit Auto Show


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