Callaway Chevy Camaro SC610 unveiled

General Motors' rival to the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro coupe, is unlikely to ever wear Holden badges or be officially imported to Australia – despite promises made last year – but that doesn't make Callaway's latest beast any less appealing.

Dubbed the Camaro SC610, the name relates to the supercharged nature of the 6.2-litre V8, and its power output – 610hp, or roughly 450kW. As always, Callaway has added aesthetic appeal to the engine, with carbon-fibre detailing and bespoke lettering adding a little drama every time the bonnet lifts, exposing the 376 cubic-inch blown V8.

The Callaway crew has also managed to tune the engine to deliver a claimed 610lb-ft of torque, or about 830Nm for the SC610, which was previewed earlier in the year.

Although Callaway has not revealed the 0-100km/h acceleration or top speed times for the Camaro SC610, the company's conversions are rarely sluggish. Peak power occurs at 6400rpm with torque hitting its straps at 4400rpm, all of which is transferred to the rear axle via six-speed manual or conventional eight-speed auto.

Whichever way you slice and dice it, this hotted-up Chevy Camaro SC610 is powerful, and would give any number of Mustangs a run for their money – including the 500kW Roush-tuned Ford Mustang GT, which will be sold in Australia through Ford dealerships.

In the USA, Callaway conversions/cars can be purchased at some Chevrolet dealerships in the States, as 'custom' conversions gain traction with new car buyers who want something different – or meatier.

Ford is also doing the same with Mountune mods for the Ford Fiesta ST and Ford Focus ST in Australia.

The primary engine mods for the SC610 include a Callaway GenThree supercharger with a patented 'TripleCooled' intercooler system and high-flow cold air intake system.

Non mechanical updates include special badges inside and out, door scuff plates, special floor mats and a new key fob.

It also features bonnet cut-outs allowing for better thermal dynamics, increasing reliability, according to company founder Reeves Callaway.

"The supercharger assembly is not cramped below the hood because we wouldn't compromise performance or reliability," he stated.

"Our design maintains consistent charge air temperatures with exceptionally low restriction. Plus, we achieve even airflow distribution to all cylinders. The result is a broad torque band and more consistent power delivery during extreme driving.

"Every Callaway Camaro maintains the factory GM warranty and is supplemented by Callaway's powertrain coverage," said Callaway.

Visually the Camaro SC610 isn't as wild as some of the company's designs, such as the Corvette Aerowagon shooting brake concept, and at US $16,995 ($24,000) it's not the cheapest upgrade you'll find. But Callaway relies on its reputation for quality work and is one of the reasons it's offered direct to customers in selected Chevy dealerships.

Callaway will also sell you the car new for US $54,290 ($76,000).

Despite the Camaro's platform being developed with right-hand drive markets in mind, it seems increasingly unlikely that Holden will offer a US-derived V8-powered rear-drive sports car in Australia after the demise of the Commodore in 2017. And therefore it's even more doubtful that Callaway products will ever be sold here. But it never stopped the company working its magic on the Aussie Commodore, or Chevy SS as it's called in the USA.