Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a balmy Friday night in the new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, the allure of American muscle was palpable. As the traffic light shifted to green, a gentle press on the throttle turned into a deliberate demand for power. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the distinctive supercharger whine instantly commanded attention from onlookers gathered along Woodward, as the full force of 807 horsepower strained against the limits of the Pirelli all-season tires.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue
Just as quickly as the supercharger boost surged, I eased off, shifted gears, and allowed the potent Challenger to coast. The evening air was thick with police presence, a subtle reminder to keep velocities in check. Approaching the next red light, I observed a police vehicle discreetly pull into a dimly lit parking area, extinguishing its lights and melting into the shadows. Moments later, a thunderous Ford Mustang GT pulled up beside me. The passenger leaned out, shouting over the rumble, “Your Scat Pack sounds mean – wanna race?” I nodded towards the camouflaged police car ahead. The Mustang occupants acknowledged with a thumbs-up, and as the light turned green, we all proceeded with a newfound respect for the speed limit.
Ford Mustang GT pulls alongside a Dodge Challenger Black Ghost at a traffic light
As the night unfolded, and I continued my relaxed journey along Woodward Avenue, several more drivers inquired about impromptu races. Interestingly, while driving my personal Challenger SRT® Hellcat, such challenges from typical pony cars are less frequent. However, when a second driver of a naturally aspirated Ford mistook the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, a realization dawned. The Black Ghost’s signature rear stripe is traditionally exclusive to the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Adding to the disguise, SRT or Hellcat badges are conspicuously absent from the rear and sides, replaced only by the classic Challenger script logo. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem, positioned on the grille, is rendered in black, effectively camouflaged at night, especially with headlights illuminated.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost rear stripe and Challenger script logo
The numerous race solicitations from comparatively slower pony cars stemmed from a case of mistaken identity – they perceived the Black Ghost as an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a masterful tribute to a legendary Detroit street racer of the 1970s, Dodge engineers conceived the unthinkable: an SRT Hellcat Redeye in a sleeper guise.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost front grille with subtle Hellcat badge
In reality, the supercharger’s distinctive whine is a giveaway to seasoned car enthusiasts, hinting that this Challenger is far from stock. Upon hearing the Black Ghost clear its throat, most automotive aficionados will recognize the unmistakable sound of forced induction. However, for drivers seeking the raw exhilaration of a supercharged HEMI® engine without overtly advertising its presence, this Dodge Challenger achieves a level of stealth unmatched by its Mopar® muscle car counterparts.
In essence, it’s an 807-horsepower beast masquerading as a 485-horsepower muscle car, making it the ultimate choice for those who prefer to operate under the radar, 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 iconic 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a decorated veteran, Detroit police officer, and legendary street racer. Qualls’ Challenger was distinguished by its black paint, a striking white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-skin-style roof. This legacy is meticulously recreated in the Last Call special edition model, featuring the Scat Pack-inspired white stripe and the distinctive gator-skin roof treatment. Further enhancing its classic aesthetic, the modern Black Ghost incorporates a chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the vintage DODGE chrome lettering prominently displayed on the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood’s leading edge – mirroring the brand badging of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. While modern muscle car enthusiasts often favor darker wheels and minimal chrome, the Black Ghost package presents a compellingly beautiful exception with its undeniable vintage charm.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cabin is appointed with carbon fiber trim, a luxurious black suede headliner, black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and a unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard. Naturally, it also features the user-friendly 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment system, providing seamless access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application for in-depth performance data and customization.
Unleashed Performance on the Streets
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost interior with Uconnect screen and performance pages
Beneath the surface, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is fundamentally an SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. It’s propelled by the formidable supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI engine, force-fed by a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger, collectively generating 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 performance-oriented 3.09 gears (in contrast to the standard 2.62), resulting in explosive low-end acceleration.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost wheel and Brembo brakes
Officially, the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak variant achieves 0-60 mph sprints in the vicinity of 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. However, even with less-than-optimal tire conditions on typical street surfaces, this supercharged Challenger effortlessly clocks 0-60 mph in a mere 3.6 seconds. These figures were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch starts – no tire warm-up burnouts or surface preparations needed. For perspective, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, equipped with stock Pirelli tires, lags behind by 0.3 to 0.4 seconds. However, the true performance chasm between the Redeye models and the original SRT Hellcat emerges in the mid-range acceleration.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost dynamic driving shot
Even with an optimized launch in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, only a fraction of the available 807 horsepower can be effectively utilized off the line. This explains the marginal 0.3-0.4 second advantage in 0-60 mph times compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with 100 less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost gains momentum, the full force of its power reserve becomes devastatingly apparent. This is where it decisively outpaces my 2017 SRT Hellcat. The mid-range thrust is simply phenomenal, surpassing the capabilities of most street-legal vehicles. Redeye-powered cars truly flex their performance prowess in this realm. For instance, while cruising at 60 mph on the highway, flooring the accelerator in the Black Ghost propels the car into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity, outpacing almost every production car in the US market – with the exception of ultra-expensive European exotics.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost front fascia and headlights
Adding to its dynamic repertoire, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This endows the 807-horsepower muscle car with handling capabilities far exceeding expectations for a quarter-mile-focused machine. Drivers can select the “Street” suspension setting for a more compliant ride, or engage “Track” mode for sharpened cornering dynamics. The “Sport” setting provides an ideal compromise between handling agility and ride comfort. For many, including myself, the “Track” setting remains perfectly acceptable for daily driving, even on Michigan’s notoriously challenging roads. However, for those prioritizing maximum ride smoothness, the softer settings still offer impressive cornering composure with minimal body roll. When entering a corner with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes deliver rapid and confident deceleration, bringing the Challenger back to manageable velocities with ease.
With a production run limited to just 300 units, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition is undeniably rare. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that seamlessly fuses classic design inspiration with contemporary, breathtaking performance – a combination rarely encountered in today’s automotive landscape.
