2024 is your last chance to buy one of these enthusiast sports cars, before they get discontinued.
Carmakers are hard at work, reducing their carbon footprint, and sadly, this means that each year, some of our favorite performance cars are going extinct. I have excluded high-end performance cars like the Audi R8 and Ferrari F8, which are also getting axed this year, instead focusing on the more attainable spectrum of performance cars.
And while manufacturers like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru join forces to continue making great engines, what follows after these below-mentioned models will likely not be as enthusiast-focused.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevy Camaro has been a thorn in the Mustang's sights since 1967. While that may still be the case, the Camaro as we know it is going away for good in 2024, meaning now is your last chance to get the Bowtie Muscle car in its originally intended form. The sixth-generation Camaro felt the most complete as it adopted a new chassis, making it competitive with the best European and Japanese performance cars.
The LT-1 V-8 pushrod engine features cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy when you don't need all of the 455 ponies. For 2024, the starting MSRP is $32,495, but if you want the V-8, you'll have to spend at least $43,895. Still a bargain considering the horsepower-per-dollar ratio.
2024 Chevrolet Camaro SS performance specifications
- Engine: 6.2-liter, naturally-aspirated, OHV, V-8
- Output: 455 horsepower at 5,700 RPM, 455 pound-feet at 4,600 RPM
- Transmission and driveline: 6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
- 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
- Fuel economy (EPA): 19-20 MPG, 16 MPG city, 24-26 MPG highway
Kia Stinger
In 2017, Kia of all brands gave us a stylish, four-door, fastback coupe that gave the likes of Audi S5 Sportback and BMW 440i Gran Coupe a run for their money. The car offered exceptional value for money and reliability-wise, it got a very high score, comparable to some popular Japanese models.
Technically, 2023 was the last year in which you could buy the regular Kia Stinger, but for 2024, Kia introduced a "last call”, Tribute edition, limited to 440 units, offered exclusively to US customers. This is the second time Kia is giving us a Stinger Tribute edition. The first time was back in 2022 with production being limited to 1,000 units – 200 for South Korea, and 800 worldwide. The special-edition Kia Stinger is based on the GT2 variant.
2024 Kia Stinger Tribute edition performance specifications
- Engine: 3.3-liter, twin-turbo, DOHC, V-6
- Output: 368 horsepower at 6,000 RPM, 376 pound-feet at 1,300-4,500 RPM
- Transmission and driveline: 8-speed automatic, RWD/ AWD
- 0-60 MPH: 4.7.4.5 seconds
- Fuel economy (EPA): 20 MPG combined, 17-18 MPG city, 24-25 MPG highway
Audi TT
After three generations and 26 years, Audi's compact sports coupe (or roadster) is giving way for something new and from what we know so far, it's going to be electric. The Audi TT's name comes from the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy motorcycle race. If you wonder what the connection is, NSU was one of four brands that eventually resulted in Audi. Hence the four rings in the emblem. NSU also made motorcycles and was quite successful in the Isle of Man TT.
Regardless, the end of the TT also marks the end of Audi's five-cylinder engines, which date back to the brand's proud rally heritage. Naturally, the range-topping Audi TT-RS is the most sought-after for its inline-five, Quattro all-wheel drive, and near-supercar performance, which is why Audi released the overpriced, TT-RS Iconic Edition, limited to 100 units.
2024 Audi TT-RS Iconic Edition performance specifications
- Engine: 2.5-liter, turbocharged, DOHC inline-five
- Output: 400 horsepower at 5,850-7,000 RPM, 354 pound-feet at 2,250-5,850 RPM
- Transmission and driveline: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
- 0-60 MPH: 3.5 seconds
- Fuel economy (EPA): 23 MPG combined, 20 MPG city, 29 MPG highway
Dodge Challenger
2024 is a sad year for die-hard MOPAR enthusiasts. The Challenger is going away for good, and the Charger became an EV although you can also get it with the Hurricane inline-six engine. Dodge brought out a bunch of awesome, "Last Call” Charger and Challenger models before doing this, which will no doubt, become sought-after by collectors.
That said, while the Dodge Challenger's future is still, largely, a mystery, you can still buy the current generation in 2024, and it starts from just over $30,000 for the V-6. Naturally, the supercharged, V-8, Challenger Super Stock is what everybody wants.
2024 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock performance specifications
- Engine: 6.2-liter, supercharged, OHV V-8
- Output: 807 horsepower at 6,400 RPM, 707 pound-feet at 4,500 RPM
- Transmission and driveline: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
- 0-60 MPH: 3.3 seconds
- Fuel economy (EPA): 15 MPG combined, 13 MPG city, 21 MPG highway
Genesis G70
I feel we don't talk about Genesis as a brand enough. Hyundai went above and beyond to try and escape the economy car image, similar to how Toyota, Honda, and Nissan did with their luxury brands – Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. Thanks to hiring the right people, the Korean carmaker can offer some truly spectacular luxury sports models like the G70.
The sleek sedan from Genesis is more than capable of going toe to toe with the German premium trio as well as the likes of Lexus IS and Alfa Romeo Giulia, especially in V-6 form where it trumps most of the competition with ease. In some markets, the Genesis G70 is also available as a Shooting brake. Sadly, Genesis’ future plans include a fully-electric lineup by 2025, meaning 2024 is the last year, the Korean luxury brand would offer models running on liquid dinosaurs.
2024 Genesis G70 performance specifications
- Engine: 3.3-liter, twin-turbo, DOHC V-6
- Output: 368 horsepower at 6,000 RPM, 376 pound-feet at 1,300-4,500 RPM
- Transmission and driveline: 8-speed automatic, RWD/ AWD
- 0-60 MPH: 4.5 seconds
- Fuel economy (EPA): 20-21 MPG combined, 17-18 MPG city, 26-27 MPG highway
About the author
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image sources: 2023 Dodge Challenger Convertible, 2023 Dodge Challenger, 2024 Kia Stinger Tribute Edition, 2024 Audi TT-RS Heritage Edition