Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost was an experience in raw, unadulterated muscle car energy. As the traffic light turned green, a gentle press on the throttle unleashed a beast. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the unmistakable whine of the supercharger instantly commanded attention from onlookers lining Woodward Avenue. All 807 horsepower surged, testing the limits of the Pirelli three-season tires.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cruising on Woodward Avenue at night
Just as quickly as the power surged, I eased off, shifting gears and letting the supercharged Challenger coast. The evening’s heavy police presence was a reminder to keep the speed in check. Approaching the next red light, a police cruiser pulled into a dimly lit parking lot, its lights vanishing into the shadows. Moments later, a loud Ford Mustang GT pulled up beside me. The passenger leaned out, shouting, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” A nod towards the camouflaged police car ahead was enough. The Mustang occupants gave a knowing thumbs up, and as the light turned green, we all proceeded at a leisurely pace.
Ford Mustang GT pulls up next to the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost at a red light on Woodward Avenue
As the night unfolded, and Woodward Avenue remained the stage, more drivers inquired about impromptu races. Interestingly, in my own Challenger SRT® Hellcat, such invitations are less frequent from the typical pony car crowd. But in the Black Ghost, twice I was asked if it was a Scat Pack by drivers of naturally aspirated Fords, sparking a thought. The Black Ghost’s rear stripe is a design cue traditionally exclusive to the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Absent are any overt SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear or sides, only the classic Challenger script logo. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem, blacked out on the grille, becomes virtually invisible at night with headlights on.
Close up of the rear of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost highlighting the Scat Pack style stripe and Challenger script logo
The reason for the unexpected race challenges became clear: the Black Ghost, with its subtle badging and Scat Pack-esque stripe, was being mistaken for an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a brilliant tribute to a legendary Detroit street racer of the 1970s, Dodge pulled off the unexpected – they crafted an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper. This isn’t just any muscle car; it’s a Dodge Challenger Red Eye in disguise.
Front three quarter view of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showcasing its aggressive stance and blacked out grille
Realistically, the supercharger whine is a dead giveaway to any seasoned car enthusiast that this isn’t a standard Scat Pack. The moment the Black Ghost clears its throat, the auditory signature of a supercharged engine is unmistakable. However, for those seeking the explosive performance of a supercharged HEMI® engine, but prefer a more understated presence, this Dodge Challenger Red Eye variant is a masterclass in subtlety, unlike its more flamboyant Mopar® stablemates.
In essence, the Black Ghost is an 807-horsepower muscle car cleverly disguised as a 485-horsepower one. For those who favor flying under the radar while possessing unparalleled power, the Dodge Challenger Red Eye Black Ghost is arguably the ultimate choice on the market.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive History
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 Detroit police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was distinguished by its black paint, a striking white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. This “Last Call” special edition echoes those iconic features with the Scat Pack-inspired white stripe and the gator-grain roof treatment. Further enhancing the classic aesthetic, the modern Black Ghost incorporates a chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering across the upper fascia, mirroring the badging style of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and satin carbon “Warp Speed” wheels, which present as a bright silver, contrasting with the prevalent dark wheels on contemporary Dodge models. While darker wheels and minimal chrome are often favored on modern muscle cars, the Black Ghost package, with its classic appeal, is undeniably striking.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost elevates the experience with carbon fiber trim, a luxurious 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 features the familiar 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment screen, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, putting customizable performance at your fingertips.
Unleashing Redeye Performance on the Street
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showing off its widebody stance and performance tires
Underneath the vintage-inspired styling, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is fundamentally a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. This means it’s propelled by the monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter engine, force-fed by a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger, delivering 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 gear ratio (in place of the standard 2.62), making this car an absolute rocket off the line.
Interior view of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showing the Redeye badging and performance features
Officially, the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak boasts 0-60 mph acceleration in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even on regular street surfaces with less-than-perfect tires, the supercharged Challenger effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These impressive times were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch starts – no tire warming burnouts or surface preparation needed. For context, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, running on stock Pirelli tires, is about 0.3 to 0.4 seconds slower in the same conditions. The true advantage of the Redeye models, including the Black Ghost, over the original SRT Hellcat lies in their superior mid-range power.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost accelerating quickly on a street
Even with a strong launch, the sheer 807 horsepower of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Red Eye Black Ghost can be overwhelming, limiting the 0-60 mph improvement over the standard SRT Hellcat to a few tenths of a second. However, once the car is moving, the full force of that power becomes usable, allowing the Black Ghost to decisively pull away from even a 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat. This mid-range acceleration is truly exceptional, surpassing most street-legal cars. It’s in this realm that the Redeye engine truly flexes its muscle. For instance, cruising at 60 mph on the highway and then flooring the accelerator in the Black Ghost will propel you into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity, outperforming the vast majority of cars available in the US market. The few cars that can match or exceed this mid-range thrust are typically European exotics with price tags several times higher than any Dodge.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cornering showcasing its handling capabilities
Adding to its performance prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination elevates the handling far beyond what’s expected from a quarter-mile-focused muscle car. Drivers can select “Street” suspension for a smoother ride, or switch to “Track” mode for aggressive cornering, with a “Sport” setting offering a balanced blend of handling and comfort. For many, including myself, the “Track” setting remains comfortable enough for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect roads. For those prioritizing ultimate smoothness, the softer settings still provide excellent cornering capabilities with minimal body roll. Should you enter a turn with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes rapidly bring the Challenger back under control.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, acquiring one is certainly a challenge. However, for those fortunate enough to secure one, they possess a stunning muscle car that masterfully blends classic design cues with cutting-edge modern performance – a truly unique offering in the automotive landscape, and a testament to the enduring appeal of the Dodge Challenger Red Eye.
