It was a balmy Friday night, the kind that hums with anticipation, and I found myself behind the wheel of the brand-new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue. As the traffic light turned green, I gently pressed the accelerator, easing the car forward. Just a few feet into the intersection, I couldn’t resist giving it more gas. The symphony that erupted—a deep-throated roar from the exhaust intertwined with the high-pitched whine of the supercharger—instantly grabbed the attention of onlookers lining Woodward. All 807 horses strained against the Pirelli all-season tires, pushing them to their limits.
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue, showcasing its powerful presence.
Just as quickly as the adrenaline surged, I eased off the throttle, shifted gears, and let the supercharged Challenger glide. On this particular Friday night, the police presence was noticeable, and I was keen to stay within the speed limits. Approaching the next red light, I slowed to a stop and noticed a police cruiser pull into a dimly lit parking lot across the street, its exterior lights vanishing into the shadows. Moments later, a Ford Mustang GT, its engine rumbling loudly, pulled up beside me. The passenger leaned out and yelled, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty mean – wanna race?” I nodded towards the police car parked just ahead. The Mustang occupants gave me a thumbs up, and as the light turned green, we all proceeded at a leisurely pace.
A red light encounter on Woodward Avenue, highlighting the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost's understated appearance.
As the evening unfolded and I continued my Woodward Avenue cruise, I received several more impromptu race invitations. Interestingly, when I’m driving my own Challenger SRT® Hellcat, these challenges from common pony cars are far less frequent. But then it struck me – a second person had mistaken the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack. The rear stripe, a signature element of the Black Ghost, is traditionally reserved for the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Adding to the illusion, the Black Ghost lacks SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear and sides, displaying only the classic Challenger script logo. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem, blacked out on the grille, becomes virtually invisible in the dark with headlights on.
Close-up of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost rear stripe and badging, emphasizing its Scat Pack-like appearance.
The penny dropped. These drivers in their naturally aspirated pony cars were eager to race what they perceived to be an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a brilliant tribute to a legendary Detroit street racer from the 1970s, Dodge had pulled off something remarkable – they had engineered an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper.
The Dodge Challenger Black Ghost in motion, showcasing its stealthy design and powerful stance.
Of course, the supercharger whine is a telltale sign for many car enthusiasts, hinting that this Challenger is far from stock. Once the Black Ghost’s engine clears its throat, most gearheads will recognize the unmistakable sound of forced induction. However, for those seeking the raw power of a supercharged HEMI® engine without screaming about it, this Dodge Challenger offers a level of stealth unmatched by its Mopar® muscle car siblings.
In essence, the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an 807-horsepower beast cloaked in the guise of a 485-horsepower muscle car. It’s the ultimate choice for those who prefer to keep a low profile while packing serious heat.
The Allure of the Black Ghost Package
For those unfamiliar, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package pays homage to the iconic 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racing legend, decorated veteran, and city police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was famous for its black paint, white tail stripe, and distinctive black vinyl gator-grain roof. This “Last Call” special edition model captures that spirit with the white stripe borrowed from Scat Pack models and the gator-grain roof treatment. Further enhancing the classic aesthetic, the modern Black Ghost features a chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering across the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – reminiscent of the badging on the 1970 models. Exterior details also include black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. While dark wheels and minimal chrome are often preferred on contemporary muscle cars, the Black Ghost package’s embrace of classic chrome elements creates a truly stunning and timeless design.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost boasts carbon fiber accents, a black suede headliner, black Alcantara/Laguna leather seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and a unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard. It also comes equipped with the familiar 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment screen, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application.
Unleashing Performance on the Road
Interior view of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, highlighting its performance-focused cockpit and Uconnect screen.
Under the hood, the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost shares its DNA with the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. It’s powered by the monstrous 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 lightning-fast 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio (compared to the standard 2.62), making this car an absolute rocket off the line.
The powerful engine bay of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, showcasing the supercharged HEMI and performance components.
Official figures place the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak at 0-60 mph in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. Even with less-than-perfect tires on typical street surfaces, this supercharged Challenger effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These times were consistently replicated on various street surfaces using a simple stop-and-launch technique – no tire warming burnouts or surface preparation needed. In comparison, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, equipped with stock Pirelli tires, lags behind by 3-4 tenths of a second. However, the true advantage of the Redeye models, including the Black Ghost, emerges in the mid-range acceleration.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost taking a corner, demonstrating its handling capabilities and Bilstein dampers.
Even with a perfect launch, the sheer 807 horsepower of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is difficult to fully utilize from a standstill. This explains the relatively small gap in 0-60 times compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with “only” 717 horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is rolling, the full force of its power comes into play, allowing it to decisively pull away from my 2017 SRT Hellcat. This mid-range thrust is simply phenomenal, exceeding the capabilities of most street-legal vehicles. It’s in this realm that Redeye-powered cars truly shine. For instance, cruising at 60 mph on the highway, burying the accelerator in the Black Ghost propels you into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking velocity, outpacing almost every car sold in the US – save for European exotics costing several times more than any Dodge.
Front view of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, emphasizing its aggressive styling and Brembo brakes.
Adding to its appeal, the Challenger Black Ghost benefits from adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This potent muscle car exhibits handling prowess far exceeding that of a typical quarter-mile dragster. Drivers can select the Street suspension setting for a smoother ride or engage Track mode for sharper cornering, with Sport mode offering a balanced blend of both. For many, including myself, the Track setting remains comfortable enough for daily driving, even on Michigan’s notoriously rough roads. However, for those prioritizing ultimate comfort, the softer settings still deliver impressive cornering capabilities with minimal body roll. And should you enter a turn with a touch too much enthusiasm, the Brembo brakes swiftly bring the Challenger back to a manageable pace.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, it’s undoubtedly a rare gem. But for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that masterfully blends classic design inspiration with breathtaking modern performance, creating a driving experience unlike almost anything else on the road.
