Chevrolet unveiled its new supercar destroyer today, aptly named the Z06. When we first had the chance to see this at a private viewing in Detroit late last year, needless to say, our jaws hit the floor. Track-focused, fighter-jet inspired, and the first Z06 to offer a supercharged engine, removable roof panel and optional paddle shift 8-speed transmission, this easily becomes one of North America's greatest and most capable track cars, and one of the biggest threats to Europe's best.

An all-new 6.2L supercharged V8, dubbed the LT4, is expected to deliver a crushing 625 hp and 635 lb-ft of torque with top technologies that include activel fuel managment (cylinder deactivation), direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and a high 10.0:1 compression ratio.

“It is one of the world’s only supercharged engines to incorporate cylinder deactivation technology, enabling it to cruise efficiently on the highway with reduced fuel consumption, but offer more than 600 horsepower whenever the driver calls up its tremendous power reserve,” says John Rydzewski, assistant chief engineer for Small-Block engines.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the new Z06 are its aerodynamic upgrades, which make heavy use of carbon fiber and will come in three trim options. Lead designer Jose Gonzalez says his inspiration for Chevy's newest and most impressive Corvette came from "specifically what the air was doing." As a result, the Z06 will come in three distinct options, depending on driver's wants/needs:

- The standard Z06 features a front splitter, spats around the front wheel openings, a unique carbon-fiber hood with a larger vent, and the rear spoiler from the Corvette Stingray’s Z51 Performance Package

- An available carbon-fiber aero package - in either black or a visible carbon-fiber finish - adds a carbon fiber front splitter with aviation-style winglets, carbon fiber rocker panels, and a larger rear spoiler with a fixed wickerbill – a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler that significantly increases downforce

- The top Z07 package add larger winglets to the front splitter, along with an adjustable, see-through centre section on the rear spoiler for track use. With this package, the Corvette Z06 delivers the most aerodynamic downforce of any production car that GM has tested.

In fact, the Z06/Z07 package is so aerodynamically-stable that the race-development squad had to rethink their approach to developing the upcoming C7.R - instead of working to create downforce, they had to reduce it for better slip. For driving and track enthusiasts, this means a car that is incredibly stable at speed, and even moreso when mated to the optional 8-speed paddle shift with rev-matching.

Purists can still rejoice in the standard 7-speed manual option, and also the option of turning rev-matching on or off. Shifting will also be made more efficient with a new dual-mass flywheel and dual-disc clutch.

Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the 2015 Z06 will undoubtedly be one of the biggest bargains in the sports car world, with a pricetag the company says will be "similar to the previous generation Z06."

Stay tuned for more.