As gorgeous as the 2009 Corvette ZR1 may be on the outside, it's what is under the skin that gets our blood pumping. Fortunately, GM stripped down its new supercar to the bare essentials and put it on display here at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

The new CAFE regulations might spell the end for big V8s, but future Corvettes will be packing a similar performance punch with a smaller footprint. Automotive News sat down with the Corvette's vehicle line exec, Tom Wallace, to discuss the future of the iconic coupe and he said that a 700 hp 'Vette is off the table.

Leaded Fuel:  The Department of the Environment has delayed action for one year on a SAN-opposed proposal to terminate the current exemption for leaded gasoline used in competition motor vehicles. Under the revised regulation, the exemption will remain in place until January 1, 2010. The extension will allow all racing events in 2008 and 2009 to proceed while providing time for regulators to conduct further studies on the health risks of leaded fuel at race facilities.

The SAN based its opposition to the original proposal on the fact that Environment Canada relied on no scientifically documented test data to provide evidence that increased exposure to emissions created from leaded gasoline causes adverse health effects and that competition motor vehicles use only 1.5% of all leaded gasoline consumed in Canada. According to the International Hot Rod Association, drag-racing competitions and related expenditures by race teams, event organizers and tourists amounts to a multimillion dollar windfall for regions hosting these events.

Source: SEMA