The 2011 Ford Mustang has upped the game with its superior driving dynamics, and the Dodge Challenger is getting more power this year to go along with its ultra-faithful retro styling. Not willing to be left behind, Chevrolet is readying the most extreme Camaro yet, the 2012 Z28.

Powered by the 6.2L Supercharged V8 used in the Cadillac CTS-V and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. GM somehow felt it wise to affix a label to the dash stating that this engine, along with a six-speed automatic, was present in the test car, giving us good reason to suspect the Z28 features the 556-horsepower LSA engine rather than the 620 horsepower LS9 engine, but you won’t hear us complaining. The LSA is available with either the automatic or a 6-speed manual, whereas the Mustang Shelby  GT500 offers only a stick.

Expect the appropriate chassis upgrades, as well as the visible big brakes, 20″ wheels and quad exhaust pipes as standard on the Z28. Chevy knows their competition well, and has to make sure that the Z28 will eat the GT500 and SRT-8 Challenger alive if they want to compete in this ultra-competitive segment.

[Source: Camaro5]