A ZR1 LS9 Engine just produced by Chevrolet was the 100-Millionth manufactured by the company.

In the past 56 years, since Chevrolet began producing small block engines, the bowtie emblazoned automotive company and the small block engine has been synonymous with one another. In that time, every iconic car produced by Chevrolet has been known and linked to their famous small-block engine design in some manner. Most recently, the fifth generation Camaro has become a small block powered icon on both road and track, much like it's LS small block powered big brother, the Corvette.

The sheer number there--100,000,000 for those who like lots of zeroes--really highlights the durability, reputation, and potential of the small block and speaks to the iconic nature of the GM engine. It is fitting then to also consider that the first small block, introduced in 1955, was built for the first generation Corvette and the 100-millionth produced was a hand-crafted work of art LS9 made specifically for the sixth generation Corvette's special edition ZR1--the fastest Corvette ever produced.

Of course, the transition from the first small block to the modern pinnacle LS9 is a long one, filled with numerous exciting and memorable engines. In 1992 Chevrolet first introduced its second-generation Small Block, known as the LT1, in to its Corvette. This engine became an absolute staple on tracks across the globe, and adorned various vehicles from that Corvette, to the F-Body Camaro and Firebird, and the B-Body Impala SS and Caprice Police car. The LT1, which featured a newly developed reverse cooling, is still being used in races all across the globe today.

Following the second generation, Chevrolet then introduced their first LS Engine in 1997. This third generation small block, which was first placed in the C5 Corvette, was an even greater step forward. The LS engines are all-aluminum small blocks, and the first of them, the LS1, was rated a naturally aspirated 350HP and 365 lb ft of torque--numbers that, today, are still incredibly impressive for a naturally aspirated 5.7L engine. The LS engine was then featured, in some form, in numerous different vehicles and even had a more powerful, LS6 version introduced in the C5 Z06 Corvette in 2001. This LS6 featured the same 5.7L displacement as its LS1 brethren, but put out a stomach churning 405HP and 400 lb ft of torque.

Those numbers were fairly mind-shattering for a naturally aspirated engine of the LS6's size and weight, at least, until 2005 when the first of the fourth generation small block was released. In 2005 the Corvette went from its fifth generation vehicle to the now current sixth generation, and with the change in body also came the biggest change: the introduction of the Chevrolet LS2. The LS2 was almost identical to the LS6 engine in performance and displacement, but also featured a much more even Torque curve through-out the RPM range, and had the potential to be modified for incredible gains. It was from this base LS2 that the LS7--the now revered 505HP and 470 lb ft torque monster--was produced and introduced to the 2006 Corvette. Just one year after the update of the small block, this engine seemed to be where everything was building, and the Z06 became the undeniable greatest performance bang for the buck on the globe. Within the year, there were Z06's running against quarter-million dollar European exotics on racetracks all across the globe, and each one came with the distinctive sound and tone that only a Chevrolet small block V8 can deliver through the exhaust.

Of course, Chevrolet wasn't finished there (thankfully, they're dedicated to the production of envelope-pushing performance machines) and we saw such engines as the 430HP LS3 (now outfitting the base-level C6 Corvette and the Chevrolet Camaro SS), the LSA (a 556HP Supercharged monster that can be found in the world's fastest production sedan, the Cadillac CTS-V and will also hit the streets in the body of the new super-Camaro ZL1 this year), and the engine that would be made as number 100,000,000--the LS9.

The LS9 is an absolute marvel worth talking about as well, especially considering that everything before it brought us to this point. The LS9, which can only be found in the top of the line Corvette ZR1, produces an amazing supercharged 6.2L engine based on the LS3 block and putting out a ferocious 638bhp and 604 lb ft of torque. Those numbers, in combination with the Corvette's lightweight body and wide, aggressive stance, have produced a vehicle that runs track times that best it's $250,000+ competitors. Today, the ZR1 is the undeniable greatest bargain on wheels that exists for the performance minded consumer, and, as such, is the only engine fitting to be given the designation as number 100,000,000 of its kind.

Of course, Chevrolet's not stopping at 100,000,000 and the future of the small block engine holds a great deal of excitement. Already, official reports have come out that Chevrolet is updating their engine for the seventh-generation of their Corvette, and we may see the introduction of such features as direct injection and an upgraded combustion chamber design, as well as the improved performance and efficiency numbers to match. GM enthusiasts should expect to see the next small block engine first hit the streets in the C7 Corvette, scheduled for release some time in 2014.

• 2012 Camaro Z28 production begins January 1, 2012
• Internally referred to as the "HP Model"
• 6.2L supercharged engine
• Magnetic Ride suspension
• 285F / 330R tires
• Hood design to have louvre/slat design seen in spy photos (dealers in attendance were shown a gray Z28 model)
• Slight (not major) updates to the interior, with some brighter trimwork

Let's consider some of these things real quick. The 6.2L Supercharged engine is almost, without question, the same LSA that's in the Cadillac CTS-V. That LSA puts out 556HP in the Cadillac, and is easily good for a lot more. Maybe Chevrolet will tune it down a little bit for the Z28 release, maybe not, only time will tell, but either way the Camaro-loving crowd now has knowledge of the engine's incredible potential. The next thing on the list might be the most exciting of them all: Magnetic Ride Suspension(MRC, or Magnetic Ride Control as it's typically known)! MRC utilizes magneto-rheological fluid0based actuators in the suspension to provide the vehicle with a powerful, adaptive, and incredibly responsive race suspension that offers the vehicle an enhanced range of soft-to-firm damping capabilities, as well as real-time traction control functions. MRC is the same type of suspension system used in the Corvette and the CTS-V, and has been praised world-round for its incredible feel and responsiveness. The tires mentioned are incredibly intriguing as well, as a 285/330 configuration is just sick. The Camaro, currently, can't fit larger than 315 in the rear without having the wheel protrude from the well a bit, either, which means that the Z28 will almost undoubtedly be outfitted with widened rear quarter-panels as a means of fitting those wheels comfortably within the vehicle's body. The wider wheels (which are comparable to the wheel widths found on Corvettes) should really provide the Camaro Z28 with the grip necessary to hold the road as it pushes all 556(maybe) of its HP through the wheels and to the pavement. Ultimately, with the combination of GM's greatest race technologies and their greatest looking body, the Camaro Z28 should end up an absolute monster of a vehicle that will tear apart its competition with relative ease.

All in all, seeing the Z28 is always a good thing, because it proves to us that yes it's real, and no, we're not just dreaming (pinch me).

There's also another great video of what happens when you take a pure muscle-car like the Camaro SS and allow Neiman-Marcus to get their hands on it. The Neiman-Marcus Camaro is meant to provide a presentation of a muscle car as it can be transformed in to a $75,000 luxury vehicle. The modifications are really only visual and luxury based, but they appear nice, and should make for a really interesting Camaro when they're done.

Of course, until then, you have this:

The Z28 was spied at the 'Ring, which has quickly become one of the most hallowed courses in the field of vehicle performance and performance testing, and the fact that Chevrolet took the time and money to take the Z28 there for testing, especially this early still in its development, shows that they are truly dedicated to delivering a high quality product! One can be certain that Chevy didn't just take the Z28 Camaro out to Nurburgring for a joy ride, but that it was instead there running numerous tests on its performance, providing them a base upon what is working right now and what can be improved upon for quicker track times, and greater competitive dominance. This dedication to quality is exciting and speaks volumes about the future of the Camaro Z28.

Also worth nothing, the presence of the spoiler in these images. Up to this point, the Z28 had always been seen without a rear deck spoiler. The spoiler on the Z28 is simple and small, but good looking (because, let's face it, the Camaro always looks good). Check out the images and get a little more excited about this vehicle's future!

The LSA, is, of course, a complete and total beast. Manufactured for the CTS-V originally, the LSA is a supercharged 6.2L engine which puts out 556 HP and 551 LB-Torque. The Camaro isn't guaranteed to have the same HP and Torque numbers as the CTS-V, but they'll be similar, so that's exciting. Those sorts of numbers should make the Z28 well above its Mustang and Challenger counter-parts so far as performance is concerned. It will definitely be the best looking of the group, too.

The 6.2L Supercharged LSA 556HP Monster

A Spy of the Potential Camaro Z28 Hood from Beneath - Notice Double Heat Extractor Rows

The Camo Wrap Around the Bumper Suggests Greater Changes will Occur in That Area

Notice the Gorgeous Blue Color on this Tester. This is the first image we've seen of a Z28 not in Red. The Blue is a gorgeous medium tone, and looks great on the Camaro. Imagine that with white stripes!

Captured out in the wild running comparison tests with other Camaros and a Mustang GT 500, these images show a beautiful, supercharged, 6.2L, automatic transmission machine in full spy car camo. Even through the camo, the very large front intake screens are obvious. Couple that with the more aggressive front chin spoiler, rear diffuser, and quad-exit exhaust system (also the bad-ass black 5-spoke 20" wheels), and you have got a gorgeous looking vehicle there.

The knowledge that this is a Supercharged 6.2L V8 also leads to some speculation. We can safely assume that it's not an LS9, as that monster is reserved for the ZR1 and the ZR1 only. The LSA, with its 556BHP, seems very likely though, as that number puts it right in line with the 550HP Mustang GT500, against which it is being tested. It could of course be a new Supercharged LS3 or LS99, but it seems more likely, with the LSA on the books, they would use that powerhouse for the Camaro Z28. If they are, that's great news, as reviews for that engine are fantastic. With the wide-open quad exhaust on the Camaro as well, and some tuning, they've probably got a few extra Horsies out of the LSA past what the Cadillac version of it was pushing. All in all, this news is incredibly exciting, and leads itself to wonderful dreams and worthwhile speculation. So, what do you think?