It was a balmy Friday night, and I found myself behind the wheel of the new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost on Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue. As the traffic light turned green, I gently pressed the accelerator, and as the car started rolling, I gradually increased the pressure. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the supercharger’s whine immediately grabbed the attention of onlookers lining Woodward Avenue, as all 807 horsepower strained the Pirelli all-season tires to their limits.
Just as quickly as the boost surged, I eased off the throttle, shifted gears, and let the supercharged Challenger coast. 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 officer pulling into a dimly lit parking lot from a side street, switching off his lights and practically vanishing into the darkness. Moments later, a very loud Ford Mustang GT pulled up beside me at the light. The passenger shouted over the engine noise, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty mean – wanna race?” I nodded towards the police officer parked discreetly ahead. The guys in the Mustang gave me a thumbs up, and when the light turned green, we all proceeded cautiously.
As the evening unfolded and I continued cruising down Woodward Avenue, several more people inquired about racing. While impromptu races on Woodward are a common occurrence, in my own Challenger SRT® Hellcat, I usually receive far fewer challenges from regular pony cars. However, when a second person in a naturally aspirated Ford mistook the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, it got me thinking. The rear stripe on the Black Ghost is traditionally exclusive to the Challenger R/T Scat Pack, and there are no SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear or sides of the car – only the classic Challenger script logo. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem is subtly placed on the grille and rendered in black, making it nearly invisible at night with the headlights on.
The reason so many less powerful pony cars were eager to race me on Woodward Avenue was their assumption that this was an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a brilliant tribute to a legendary Detroit street racer from the 1970s, Dodge engineers achieved something remarkable – they created an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper.
Realistically, most seasoned car enthusiasts who hear the distinct whine of the supercharger will quickly realize that this Challenger is far from stock, likely at least a modified Scat Pack. Once the Black Ghost’s engine revs become more pronounced, the majority of automotive aficionados will recognize the unmistakable sound of a supercharged engine. Nevertheless, for those seeking the raw power of a supercharged HEMI® engine without overtly advertising it, this Dodge Challenger offers a level of stealth unmatched by its Mopar® muscle car siblings.
In essence, it’s an 807-horsepower muscle car that could easily be mistaken for a 485-horsepower version, making it the ideal choice for those who prefer to keep a low profile, so to speak.
The Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive History
For those unfamiliar, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package pays homage to the original 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a street racing icon, decorated veteran, and Detroit police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was distinguished by its black paint, a white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. This explains why the modern Last Call special edition features the white stripe from the Scat Pack models and the distinctive gator-grain roof treatment. To further enhance its classic appeal, the contemporary Black Ghost incorporates a vintage 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’s leading edge – mirroring the brand badging of the 1970 models. The exterior package is rounded out with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels – which appear as a bright silver in contrast to the darker wheels prevalent on many modern Dodge vehicles. While my personal preference often leans towards darker wheels and less chrome on modern muscle cars, the Black Ghost package is undeniably stunning with its clear classic charm.
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 Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard. Naturally, it also includes the user-friendly 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment screen, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application for in-depth performance data and customization.
Unleashing Performance on the Road: The Hellcat Redeye Engine
Under the hood, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is fundamentally based on the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. This means 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 rapid-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio (instead of the standard 2.62), making this car an absolute rocket off the line.
Official figures state the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak achieves 0-60 mph in around 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. However, even with less-than-perfect tires on typical street surfaces, this supercharged Challenger effortlessly dispatches 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These times were consistently achieved on various street surfaces simply by stopping and launching – without resorting to tire-warming burnouts or any special surface preparation. For context, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat on stock Pirelli tires is approximately 0.3-0.4 seconds slower in the 0-60 sprint. However, the real advantage of the Redeye models over the original SRT Hellcat becomes apparent in the mid-range acceleration.
Even with an optimal launch in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, the available 807 horsepower can only be partially utilized initially. This explains the relatively small difference in 0-60 times compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with 100 less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is in motion, it can truly exploit its full power potential, and this is where it begins to significantly outpace my 2017 SRT Hellcat. The mid-range acceleration is simply phenomenal, exceeding that of most street-legal cars. This is where the Redeye-powered Challengers and Chargers truly showcase their enhanced performance. For instance, when cruising on the highway at 60 mph in the Black Ghost, a full throttle application will catapult the car into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity – a feat matched by only a handful of cars sold in the US, most of which are European exotics costing several times more than any Dodge model.
Adding to its appeal, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination allows this 807-horsepower muscle car to handle far more adeptly than your average quarter-mile dragster. Drivers can select the Street suspension setting for a smoother ride, or engage the Track setting for sharper cornering performance, with the Sport setting offering a balanced compromise. For many, including myself, the Track setting remains comfortable enough for daily driving, even on Michigan’s notoriously rough roads. For those prioritizing maximum comfort, the softer settings still provide impressive cornering capabilities with minimal body roll. Should you enter a turn with excessive speed, the powerful Brembo brakes swiftly bring the Challenger back under control.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, it’s certainly a rare find. However, for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that masterfully blends classic design cues with exhilarating modern performance, setting it apart from almost every other car on the road.
