If you frequent the Coastal Chevrolet blog you likely know just how excited we are for the all-new Camaro ZL1 to grace our showroom floors, early this spring. If this is your first time here, we'll say simply that we're more excited than we ever were as kids, on Christmas Eve. And we guarantee that if you enjoy the feeling of adrenaline surging through your veins, you're going to be just as giddy.

To date, we know that the Camaro triumphs at least three super sports cars in terms of horsepower: the R8 GT, Gran Turismo and SLS AMG. If fact, compared to the Gran Turismo ($122,800), the forthcoming Camaro ZL1 offers an additional 175 unbroken ponies of power... a noticeable difference, to say the least. The most powerful production Camaro ever made, the ZL1 (automatic) also offers a seemingly centrifugal 0-60-mile-per-hour sprint time of 3.9 seconds, a top speed of 184 mph and quarter-mile time of 12 seconds flat!

What we didn't know until just recently, however, is how much Chevy thinks all of this power is worth. Now, thanks to a recent announcement by the American automaker, we have the answer... And, we must say, we were pleasantly surprised. Are you ready?

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will start at just $54,995! That's approximately a quarter of the price of the R8 GT, which, as we said, offers 175 fewer ponies of power.

If you ask us, the decision is a no brainer. But, of course, you'll want more intell before you make a firm decision. Watch for the Chevy Camaro ZL1 arriving at Coastal Chevrolet in the next three months or so. As soon as you see it (or hear about it), come stop by for a more telling first-hand experience. We're willing to bet it makes even the unromantic fall head over heels.