Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an experience that immediately grabs attention. The moment the traffic light turned green, gently pressing the throttle unleashed a symphony of sounds – the deep growl of the exhaust intertwined with the unmistakable whine of the supercharger. Heads turned in parking lots along Woodward, drawn to the sound of 807 horsepower flexing its muscle, pushing the Pirelli tires to their limits.
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue, showcasing its powerful stance and heritage-inspired design.
Just as quickly as the power surged, it was dialed back, shifting gears and letting the supercharged Challenger glide. The evening air was thick with anticipation, and the subtle, yet ever-present, police presence hinted at the street racing history of Woodward. Pulling up to the next red light, a Ford Mustang GT pulled alongside. The passenger, mistaking the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, shouted a challenge to race. A nod towards the nearby police car diffused the situation with a mutual understanding and thumbs-up, and as the light changed, both cars continued their cruise, respecting the unwritten rules of the road.
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost parked at a red light on Woodward Avenue, highlighting its blacked-out details and stealthy appearance.
As the night unfolded, more challenges arose, a common occurrence on Woodward. Interestingly, driving a personal Challenger SRT® Hellcat usually attracts less attention from the regular pony car crowd. The confusion seemed to stem from the Black Ghost’s design cues. The rear stripe, traditionally a Scat Pack signature, coupled with the absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badges (save for a subtle blacked-out grille logo), led many to believe it was a powerful but not top-tier Challenger variant. This deliberate misdirection is precisely the point. Paying homage to a legendary Detroit street racer and his stealthy 1970 Dodge Challenger, Dodge has masterfully created an SRT Hellcat Redeye “sleeper” in the form of the Black Ghost.
Side profile of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost emphasizing the classic white stripe and gator-grain roof, blending retro style with modern muscle.
While true enthusiasts will quickly recognize the telltale supercharger whine, the genius of the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost lies in its understated aggression. It delivers the raw, untamed power of a supercharged HEMI® engine, yet it does so with a level of subtlety unmatched by its more overtly aggressive Mopar® siblings. This is an 807-horsepower beast masquerading, to the untrained eye, as a still-formidable 485-horsepower muscle car – the perfect choice for those who prefer performance with a low profile.
Front three-quarter view of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showcasing its aggressive stance and distinctive "Warp Speed" wheels.
The Black Ghost Package: A Tribute to a Legend
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package is more than just a trim level; it’s a direct homage to the original 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racing icon, decorated veteran, and Detroit police officer. Qualls’ original “Black Ghost” was notorious for its black exterior, distinctive white tail stripe, and unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. The modern iteration captures this essence perfectly, incorporating the white stripe reminiscent of Scat Pack models and the iconic gator-grain roof treatment.
Further enhancing the classic aesthetic, the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost boasts a chrome fuel door, vintage Challenger script logos adorning the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering prominently placed on the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – mirroring the badging of the 1970s models. Exterior details also include black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. While modern muscle cars often lean towards darker wheels and blacked-out trim, the Black Ghost embraces chrome and bright accents, resulting in a visually stunning vehicle with undeniable classic appeal.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost continues the premium feel with carbon fiber trim accents, a luxurious black suede headliner, black Alcantara/Laguna leather seats, and an Alcantara steering wheel. A unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard further distinguishes this special edition. Of course, it’s equipped with the user-friendly 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment system, providing seamless control over SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune their driving experience.
Unleashing Big Performance on the Street
Interior view of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cockpit, highlighting the Alcantara seats, carbon fiber trim, and 8.4-inch Uconnect screen.
Beneath the surface, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is a beast in performance. Built upon the foundation of the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak, it houses a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® engine, amplified by a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger. This powerhouse delivers a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a rapid-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio. This gearing choice, a step up from the standard 2.62, contributes significantly to the car’s ferocious low-end acceleration.
Close-up of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost's wheel and Brembo brakes, showcasing the high-performance components for superior handling and stopping power.
Official figures place the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak at a 0-60 mph time of around 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. In real-world street driving, even with standard tires on typical road surfaces, the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost consistently achieves 0-60 mph sprints in the 3.6-second range. These times were achieved with simple stop-and-launch starts, without any tire warm-up or surface preparation. Compared to the author’s 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat on stock Pirelli tires, the Black Ghost is noticeably quicker off the line. However, the true performance advantage of the Redeye models becomes apparent in the mid-range acceleration.
Rear view of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost accelerating, emphasizing the widebody stance and performance-focused design.
While the initial launch might only show a few tenths of a second difference compared to a standard SRT Hellcat due to traction limitations, once the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is rolling, the full force of its 807 horsepower comes into play. This is where it truly distinguishes itself, exhibiting a mid-range pull that surpasses most street-legal cars. On the highway, accelerating from 60 mph will propel the Black Ghost into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking speed, rivaling performance levels typically found in European exotics costing multiples of the Dodge’s price tag.
Front angle of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost parked on the street, highlighting its sleek black paint and imposing front grille.
Adding to its dynamic capabilities, the Challenger Black Ghost features adaptive Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination ensures that this 807-horsepower muscle car handles with surprising agility and control, far exceeding the expectations for a traditional quarter-mile focused machine. The adjustable suspension offers Street, Sport, and Track settings, allowing drivers to tailor the ride to their preferences. Even the Track setting remains comfortable for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces, while providing exceptional cornering prowess with minimal body roll. The Brembo brakes offer immense stopping power, inspiring confidence in spirited driving situations.
With only 300 units produced, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an exceptionally rare and desirable muscle car. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning vehicle that masterfully blends classic design inspiration with modern, breathtaking performance – a true testament to the enduring appeal of the Dodge Challenger and its legendary heritage.
