2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Enters Production

It's supercharged, intercooled and pumps out more power than a Nissan GT-R - but has only half as many driven wheels.

It's the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and it's now in production at the GM's Oshawa plant in Canada,

The ZL1 uses the same Zeta platform that underpins the Holden Commodore, but borrows an uprated version of the Cadillac CTS-V's 6.2 litre LSA V8.

Similar to the LS9 engine used by the Corvette ZR1, the LSA is supercharged and equipped with a water-to-air intercooler. In Camaro ZL1 trim, the LSA produces 432kW and 754Nm of torque - numbers that put the ZL1 firmly in supercar territory.

That power is channeled to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. In automatic guise, the 0-96km/h sprint is over in just 3.9 seconds, while the manual hits the same speed in four seconds flat.

Top speed is 296km/h for the auto, and 290km/h for the manual. Given its capability for tremendous speeds, it's a good thing the ZL1 is fitted with large Brembo brakes.

20-inch wheels shod with grippy Goodyear rubber are tasked with keeping the ZL1 glued to the road, however even with extra-wide 305 section rubber on the rear wheels, we've no doubt they'll have trouble containing the full power of that LSA V8.

Externally, a prominent bonnet bulge, agressive front bumper and rear bootlid spoiler mark the ZL1 as being different from your regular cooking model Camaro.

Inside, a supercharger boost guage on the centre console tells you something special lurks under that swollen bonnet.

Retail pricing for the ZL1 in North America is expected to be just $54,995. Unfortunately, like the rest of the Camaro range, don't expect to see the ZL1 on Australian soil anytime soon - except perhaps as a pricey grey import.