Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has Aussie DNA

And its latest incarnation has the sort of numbers local musclecar drivers would be keen to sample. 

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - which will wear a US$58,000 pricetag when it goes on sale in North America - is boasting a top speed near 300km/h and a sprint to 100km/h in under four seconds. 

The heart of the ZL1 is a Roots-supercharged and intercooled version of the 6.2-litre V8, which kicks out 432kW and 754Nm - the most powerful production Camaro ever. It also has an active exhaust and the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. 

Chevrolet have also endowed the ZL1 with the third-incarnation of the Magnetic Ride suspension system, which uses dampers with magneto-rheological (MR) fluid that can be quickly altered by means of an electric current to change the suspension firmness according to road conditions and driving behaviour.

Driver behaviour will also be tempered by the system Chev calls "Performance Traction Management" - the system is taken from the ZR1 Corvette and oversees the magnetic ride control, stability and traction control, the electric power steering and launch control systems.

The latter - only on offer with the manual transmission - automatically monitors (1000 times a second) and if required restrains the engine's torque to offer the best balance between acceleration and wheel spin. Of course, that's a track-only pursuit.

Also on the ZL1's features list are a rear-differential cooler, integrated engine and transmission oil coolers, and brake-cooling ducts as standard, with the cabin getting leather-trimmed seats, a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors and a rear camera.

Options are limited to the six-speed auto, 20in polished alloy wheels, a sunroof, striping package, a suede interior upgrade or - for the subtle and low-key owner - an unpainted carbon fibre bonnet insert.

Don't hold your breath for the ZL1 to pop up in Holden dealerships any time soon - Holden says there's no business case for RHD production of the current Camaro model - but the well-funded Camaro fans might yet be saved by the private importers, but the asking price is likely to be well north of the US$58,000 tag it wears in North America.

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe will go on sale in the northern hemisphere spring next year, with a convertible to follow in the summer months of that year, but the droptop's price is yet to be revealed. 

Queensland importer Performax International currently bring in a number of US musclecars, including Camaro and Mustang models. 

Performax International general manager Glenn Soper says they have a customer-ordered Camaro ZL1 destined for the workshop shortly after its February release in the US. 

"The ZL1 differs from the ordinary Camaro in having electric-assisted power steering, which will be a complex job to convert to RHD while ensuring no loss of function for all the interconnected electronic chassis systems," he says. Mr Soper says the company's previous experience with the Ford Mustang electric power steering and Australian Design Rule approval will help, but it won't be cheap. 

"As we are a small-volume importer, our prices are always subject to prevailing exchange rates. Including conversion cost and Luxury Car Tax, a registration-ready Australian version of the Camaro ZL1 may cost in the region of $140,000-$150,000, however, a privately-imported vehicle brought to us for conversion and compliance would cost less. 

"We don't expect to sell many, but no doubt there will be a few enthusiasts who will just have to have one of the most exciting Chevys ever produced," Mr Soper says.