It was a balmy Friday evening, the kind that hums with anticipation, when I found myself behind the wheel of the new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, idling at a stoplight on Detroit’s legendary Woodward Avenue. As the light shifted to green, I gently pressed the accelerator, easing the car forward before gradually demanding more power. The symphony that erupted – a deep-throated roar from the exhaust harmonizing with the high-pitched whine of the supercharger – instantly commanded attention. Heads turned from the parked cars lining Woodward, drawn to the spectacle of 807 horsepower grappling for traction as the Pirelli all-season tires strained at their limits.
Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue, showcasing its powerful presence and attracting attention from onlookers.
Just as quickly as the supercharger had spooled up, I eased off the throttle, shifted gears, and let the Challenger coast. The Friday night air was thick with police presence, and discretion seemed the better part of valor. Approaching the next red light, I slowed to a stop, noticing a police cruiser discreetly pull into a darkened parking lot, its exterior lights extinguished, melting into the shadows. Moments later, a Ford Mustang GT, boasting a decidedly louder exhaust note, pulled up beside me. The passenger leaned out, shouting, “Sounds like a potent Scat Pack! Wanna race?” I nodded towards the camouflaged police car ahead. The Mustang occupants gave a knowing thumbs-up, and when the light turned green, we all proceeded at a respectful pace.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost at a stoplight on Woodward Avenue, with a Ford Mustang GT pulling up beside it, suggesting a potential street race scenario.
As the night unfolded, cruising down Woodward Avenue became a series of similar encounters, with numerous individuals eager to test their mettle against what they perceived to be just another Challenger. Interestingly, in my personal Challenger SRT® Hellcat, such challenges are less frequent, especially from the usual pony car suspects. However, when a second person mistook the Black Ghost, with its subtle badging, for a Scat Pack, a realization dawned. The rear stripe, typically a Scat Pack signature, coupled with the absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badges (save for a blacked-out grille emblem easily lost in the nighttime shadows), created an illusion. Dodge had masterfully crafted an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper, a tribute to Detroit’s street racing heritage, disguised in plain sight.
Rear view of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost highlighting the Scat Pack style stripe and subtle badging that contribute to its sleeper appearance.
Of course, for the discerning ear, the unmistakable whine of the supercharger is a telltale sign, hinting that this is no ordinary Challenger Scat Pack. To seasoned car enthusiasts, the guttural growl emanating from beneath the hood immediately betrays the presence of a supercharged engine. Yet, for those seeking the raw, untamed power of a supercharged HEMI® without overtly broadcasting it, this Black Dodge Challenger strikes a far more understated pose compared to its more flamboyant Mopar® siblings.
Side profile of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showcasing its classic lines, gator-skin roof, and "Warp Speed" wheels.
In essence, the Black Ghost is an 807-horsepower muscle car masquerading as a 485-horsepower beast, making it the ultimate choice for those who prefer to operate under the radar, blending immense power with a cloak of anonymity.
The Essence of the Black Ghost Package
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package pays homage to the legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE, driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racing icon, decorated veteran, and police officer. Qualls’ original Black Ghost was distinguished by its black paint, a striking white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. This modern iteration echoes these iconic features, sporting the white stripe reminiscent of Scat Pack models and the distinctive gator-grain roof treatment. Adding to its classic allure, the Black Ghost features a chrome fuel door, vintage Challenger script logos adorning the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the timeless DODGE chrome lettering across the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – mirroring the badging of the 1970s models. The exterior is further enhanced by black Mopar hood pins and satin carbon “Warp Speed” wheels, which present a bright silver appearance against the backdrop of contemporary dark wheel trends. While modern muscle car aesthetics often lean towards darker wheels and minimal chrome, the Black Ghost package embraces a classic beauty with undeniable retro appeal.
Inside, the 2023 Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cabin is a blend of performance and luxury, featuring carbon fiber trim accents, a sophisticated black suede headliner, premium black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and a unique Black Ghost badge prominently displayed on the passenger side dashboard. It also incorporates 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 Street Performance
Front ¾ view of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost parked on a street, highlighting its aggressive stance and signature front grille.
Beneath the surface, the 2023 Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost shares its robust foundation with the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. It’s powered by the formidable supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® engine, force-fed by a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger, delivering a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. This immense power is channeled to the rear wheels through a rapid-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio (in contrast to the standard 2.62), endowing this machine with ferocious low-end acceleration.
Engine bay close-up of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showcasing the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI engine and its performance components.
Officially, the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak variant achieves 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. However, even on less-than-perfect street surfaces with standard tires, the supercharged Black Dodge Challenger effortlessly dispatches 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These figures were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch maneuvers, devoid of tire-warming burnouts or surface preparations. In comparison, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, equipped with stock Pirelli tires, lags behind by 3-4 tenths of a second in the 0-60 sprint. However, the true advantage of the Redeye models, and consequently the Black Ghost, lies in their superior mid-range acceleration.
Side view of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost in motion, emphasizing its speed and powerful road presence.
Even with an optimal launch, the sheer 807 horsepower of the 2023 Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost can only be partially harnessed in the initial moments. This explains the marginal difference in 0-60 times compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with a hundred less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is in motion, it unleashes its full potential, surging ahead of my 2017 SRT Hellcat with palpable force. This mid-range thrust is truly exceptional, surpassing the capabilities of most street-legal cars. Redeye-powered vehicles like the Black Ghost truly flex their muscle in this performance domain. For instance, while cruising at 60 mph on the highway, a full throttle application in the Black Ghost catapults the car into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity, eclipsing most vehicles on American roads – with the exception of exotic European sports cars costing multiples of any Dodge offering.
Interior view of the Black Dodge Challenger Black Ghost highlighting the Alcantara leather seats, steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim.
Adding to its dynamic prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination bestows upon this 807-horsepower muscle car handling capabilities far exceeding typical quarter-mile focused machines. Drivers can select the Street suspension setting for a smoother ride, or engage Track mode for sharpened cornering dynamics, with Sport mode offering a balanced compromise between handling and ride comfort. For many, including myself, the Track setting remains surprisingly comfortable for daily driving, even on Michigan’s notoriously imperfect roads. For those prioritizing ultimate ride smoothness, the softer settings still provide impressive cornering agility with minimal body roll. Should a corner be approached with excessive enthusiasm, the Brembo brakes swiftly and effectively reign in the Challenger’s speed.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, acquiring one is undoubtedly a challenge. However, for those fortunate enough to secure one, they possess a truly exceptional muscle car. It seamlessly marries classic design inspiration with breathtaking modern performance, a rare and coveted combination in today’s automotive landscape.
