The time has come to pay our respects. The sixth generation of the Chevrolet Camaro is taking its final bow with the 2024 model year. For enthusiasts, this isn’t just an ending; it’s a culmination—a final chance to own a piece of pure, unapologetic American muscle before an expected (and likely electric) hiatus. And what defines a muscle car more than the beast beneath the hood? That’s why we’re diving deep into the heartbeat of this legend: the formidable 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine options.

From the surprisingly potent V6 to the thunderous, supercharged V8, the 2024 Camaro engine lineup is a masterclass in internal combustion performance. Chevrolet has ensured that its pony car goes out with a bang, offering a dynamic and powerful choice for every level of adrenaline junkie.

2024 Chevrolet Camaro Engine Lineup Comparison Table

Trim Levels	Engine Code	Engine Type	Horsepower (hp)	Torque (lb-ft)	Transmissions	Key Feature
1LT, 2LT, 3LT	LGX	3.6L V6 VVT DI	335	284	6M, 10A	Excellent Balance & Efficiency
LT1, 1SS, 2SS	LT1	6.2L V8 VVT DI	455	455	6M (ARM), 10A	Classic Muscle Car Experience
ZL1	LT4	6.2L Supercharged V8	650	650	6M (ARM), 10A	Supercar-Level Dominance
V6 0-60 MPH (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	$\approx 5.2$ seconds
V8 0-60 MPH (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	$\approx 4.0$ seconds
ZL1 0-60 MPH (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	$\approx 3.5$ seconds
V6 Highway MPG (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	29 MPG
V8 Highway MPG (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	26 MPG
ZL1 Highway MPG (Auto)	–	–	–	–	10A	20 MPG
Cylinder Head Material	–	Cast Aluminum	–	–	–	Weight Reduction & Heat Management
Fuel Delivery System	–	–	–	–	–	Direct Injection (DI)

Exploring the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Engine Choices

When you talk about the 2024 Camaro, you are talking about options that matter. Unlike some rivals that have scaled back, the Camaro maintains a triple-threat of powertrains, each meticulously engineered to deliver a distinct and visceral driving experience. Let’s break down the muscle that makes this final-year Camaro a true collector’s item.

The Potent Gateway: 3.6L V6 (LGX)

Forget any notion of a “base” engine being boring. The 3.6-liter V6 is the standard powerplant for the LT trims (1LT, 2LT, 3LT), and it’s a genuinely spirited performer. This isn’t the lumbering V6 of generations past; this is a modern, naturally aspirated marvel that punches far above its weight.

It offers a perfect blend of everyday drivability, surprising fuel efficiency, and genuine performance, proving you don’t always need eight cylinders to have fun. Imagine cruising down a coastal highway—the V6 provides enough acoustic pleasure and quick throttle response to make the drive engaging, yet it sips fuel compared to its V8 brethren.

• Horsepower: 335 hp @ 6800 rpm¹
• Torque: 284 lb-ft @ 5300 rpm²
• 0-60 MPH: Achieved in approximately ³$5.2$ seconds (automatic transmission)⁴
• The Feel: Think of this as the sharp-edged, European-style sports coupe of the family. It loves to rev, delivers power smoothly, and offers a distinctly lighter feel in the nose, making it incredibly nimble on winding roads.

The Iconic Heartbeat: 6.2L LT1 V8 (LT1)

This is the quintessential muscle car experience. Available in the LT1 and SS trims, the 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine is arguably the soul of the Camaro. It delivers that gut-punch of low-end torque and a soundtrack that is nothing short of symphonic. This is the engine that cemented the Camaro’s place in automotive history, and for 2024, it remains a pillar of American performance.

If you are a purist who values the roar of a traditional American V8, this is your choice. When you drop the hammer, the deep, guttural bark from the available dual-mode exhaust is a primal sound that instantly connects you to the road. This power unit transforms the Camaro from a sporty coupe into a formidable street fighter.

• Horsepower: 455 hp @ 6000 rpm⁵
• Torque: 455 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm⁶
• 0-60 MPH: Achieved in as little as $4.0$ seconds (automatic transmission)
• The Feel: Raw, visceral, and instantaneous. The massive torque is available immediately, shoving you back in your seat with authority. It perfectly balances daily usability with the kind of track-day prowess that makes the SS a performance bargain.

The Untamed Beast: 6.2L Supercharged V8 (LT4)

The crown jewel of the lineup resides exclusively in the fire-breathing ZL1 trim. This 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine is not just an engine—it’s a declaration of dominance. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8, shared in its lineage with other legendary GM performance vehicles, is a monstrous power plant capable of rivaling supercars costing twice the price.⁷

The addition of the Eaton supercharger compresses the air, forcing a colossal amount of oxygen into the cylinders, resulting in jaw-dropping horsepower and torque figures.⁸ This is the ultimate expression of the Camaro’s sixth generation, the one that makes every trip to the grocery store feel like a qualifying lap.

• Horsepower: 650 hp @ 6400 rpm⁹
• Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm¹⁰
• 0-60 MPH: Achieved in a mind-bending $3.5$ seconds (automatic transmission)
• The Feel: Brutal, relentless, and addictive. The whine of the supercharger combined with the thunderous exhaust is intoxicating. This engine requires respect, delivering acceleration that genuinely pins you to the seat and blurs the world outside the window.

Key Engineering Features of the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Engine

Chevrolet has decades of experience perfecting its small-block V8 and its modern V6 engines. The powertrains offered in the 2024 Camaro are a testament to that engineering legacy, featuring technology that enhances both performance and efficiency.

Direct Fuel Injection (DI) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT)

All three engines in the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine lineup benefit from sophisticated fuel and valvetrain management. Direct Injection sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber at high pressure, leading to a more precise air-fuel mixture.¹¹ This results in better power output and improved efficiency compared to older port-injection systems.

Coupled with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which continuously adjusts the timing of the intake and exhaust valves, the engine optimizes performance across the entire rev range.¹² This is why the V6 feels strong at low speeds yet continues to pull hard near the redline, and it’s essential for the immense power of the V8s.

The Magic of the 10-Speed Automatic Transmission

While purists will always gravitate toward the standard six-speed manual transmission (and rightly so for the driver engagement it provides), the optional 10-speed automatic transmission is a technological marvel that often results in faster acceleration times. Co-developed with its primary competitor, Ford, this transmission offers tightly spaced gears that keep the engine in its optimal power band during aggressive driving.

For the driver, this means near-instantaneous, seamless shifts. In the ZL1, this transmission is a key component that helps achieve those blistering 0-60 mph times, transferring the massive torque from the supercharged 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine to the pavement with remarkable efficiency.

Active Rev Matching (V8 Manual)

A feature that manual transmission enthusiasts adore is Active Rev Matching, which is standard on the V8 manual models.¹³ This system automatically “blips” the throttle to match the engine speed during downshifts. Not only does this sound incredible (like a professional race car driver), but it also smooths out the shift, preventing the wheels from locking up or the car becoming unsettled during hard braking for a corner. It’s an electronic tool that significantly enhances the driving pleasure and capability.

Connecting the Driver to the Engine

The beauty of the Camaro lineup is that each engine configuration offers a completely different personality, perfectly matched to the trim level it powers.

If your daily commute includes winding back roads and you enjoy a responsive chassis, the 3.6L V6 is an outstanding, balanced choice. It’s lighter, making the Camaro feel more agile and allowing the driver to carry more speed into corners. It’s the perfect blend of performance and daily usability, and is the engine that most drivers will find highly capable and rewarding.

The 6.2L LT1 V8 in the SS, however, is for the one who lives for the quarter-mile blast and the bellowing exhaust note. It’s an experience rooted in tradition. When you want to pass on the highway, a slight pressure on the accelerator pedal results in a seismic wave of acceleration. It’s the classic muscle car feel, evolved for the modern era.

Finally, the ZL1’s supercharged 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine takes the experience from ‘fast’ to ‘ferocious.’ It’s a track weapon, designed for those who demand maximum G-forces. The sheer force of the engine means that every gear change, every acceleration, is a thrilling event. This engine is the main reason why the ZL1 can go toe-to-toe with global sports car elite.

A Fitting Finale for the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Engine

The final model year of the sixth-generation Camaro is a powerful tribute to its long and celebrated history. Chevrolet didn’t hold back, ensuring that the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine choices offer something truly special for every enthusiast, from the sharp, high-revving V6 to the earth-shattering, supercharged V8 in the ZL1. This lineup delivers performance, emotion, and an unforgettable driving experience that cements the Camaro’s legacy as one of the greatest American muscle cars. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to acquire a piece of internal combustion history, the 2024 model year is your last, best chance.

Would you like a detailed breakdown of the difference between the 6-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmission performance for a specific 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine?

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Engine

Q1: Does the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro still offer a 4-cylinder engine?

No. Chevrolet dropped the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Camaro lineup for the 2024 model year. The smallest available engine is now the 3.6L V6, simplifying the offerings and focusing on more performance-oriented powertrains for its final model run.¹⁴

Q2: What is the most powerful 2024 Chevrolet Camaro engine available?

The most powerful option is the 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 (LT4) found exclusively in the ZL1 trim.¹⁵ It generates a massive 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. This incredible power output makes it one of the most powerful V8 engines ever offered in a mass-produced American car.

Q3: Which engine offers the best fuel economy?

The 3.6L V6 engine provides the best fuel efficiency. When paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, it achieves an EPA-estimated ¹⁶$18$ MPG in the city and ¹⁷$29$ MPG on the highway.¹⁸ This makes it a practical choice for those who want a sporty drive without excessive trips to the gas station.

Q4: Is the 2024 Camaro engine the same as the Corvette’s?

The naturally aspirated 6.2L LT1 V8 in the Camaro SS is related to the engine in the base Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, both belonging to the famed GM small-block family. However, the Corvette’s engine has different tuning and packaging due to its mid-engine layout. The ZL1’s supercharged LT4 is also related to the C7 Corvette Z06’s engine, again with some variation. Both cars share a strong engineering lineage, but the exact specifications are adapted to their respective platforms. You can find a detailed history of the GM Small-Block Engine on Wikipedia for more information.