Cruising down Woodward Avenue on a warm Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, the allure of Detroit’s muscle car culture was palpable. As the traffic light shifted to green, a gentle press on the throttle hinted at the beast within. Moments later, yielding to temptation, I leaned further into the pedal. The symphony of the roaring exhaust intertwined with the supercharger’s whine instantly commanded attention. Heads turned, and gazes locked onto the black Challenger as all 807 horsepower strained against the Pirelli three-season tires, threatening to unleash their fury onto the asphalt.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue, showcasing its powerful presence
Just as quickly as the supercharger spooled up, I backed off, shifted gears, and let the Challenger glide. Woodward Avenue nights are often patrolled, and discretion seemed wiser than a demonstration of raw power. Approaching the next red light, I noticed a police cruiser subtly pull into a darkened parking lot, lights extinguished, blending into the shadows. Moments later, a Ford Mustang GT, boasting a loud exhaust note of its own, pulled up beside me. The passenger leaned out, shouting over the rumble, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” A simple gesture towards the lurking police car was enough. The Mustang occupants gave a knowing thumbs up, and as the light turned green, we all proceeded at a respectful pace.
Ford Mustang GT and Dodge Challenger Black Ghost side-by-side at a traffic light, highlighting the muscle car encounter
As the evening progressed, and Woodward Avenue remained the stage, more drivers, primarily in naturally aspirated pony cars, expressed interest in impromptu races. Interestingly, when piloting my own Challenger SRT Hellcat, such invitations are far less frequent. The repeated misidentification of the Black Ghost as a Scat Pack, particularly the second instance by another Ford driver, sparked a thought. The Black Ghost sports the signature rear stripe typically associated with the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Conspicuously absent are SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear and sides, only the classic Challenger script logo adorns these areas. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem resides on the grille, rendered in black, effectively camouflaged in the nighttime shadows, especially with headlights illuminated.
Close-up of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost rear stripe and Challenger script logo, emphasizing the subtle badging
This deliberate design choice became clear: Dodge, in a brilliant tribute to a Detroit street racing legend of the 1970s, had engineered the unthinkable – an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper. The widespread misconception that this 807-horsepower beast was merely a 485-horsepower Scat Pack was not a flaw, but a masterstroke of understated performance.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost front view, showcasing its stealthy and powerful appearance
While seasoned car enthusiasts might detect the telltale whine of the supercharger, hinting at more than just a Scat Pack under the hood, the Black Ghost’s subdued aesthetics genuinely mask its ferocious capabilities. For those seeking the adrenaline rush of a supercharged HEMI engine without broadcasting its presence to the world, this Dodge Challenger presents a far more discreet profile than its more overtly aggressive Mopar brethren. In essence, it’s an 807-horsepower muscle car cleverly disguised as a 485-horsepower one, making it the ultimate choice for drivers who prefer to operate under the radar, both literally and figuratively.
The 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 racer, decorated veteran, and Detroit police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was instantly recognizable by its black paint, white tail stripe, and distinctive black vinyl gator-skin-style roof. The modern Black Ghost edition meticulously recreates this legendary look with the white stripe borrowed from the Scat Pack models and the unique gator-grain roof treatment. Further enhancing the classic aesthetic are period-correct chrome elements: 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 of the 1970 models. Exterior enhancements also include black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. While modern muscle car trends often lean towards darker wheels and minimal chrome, the Black Ghost package stands as a stunning exception, embracing classic styling with undeniable appeal.
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 steering wheel, and a unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard. Modern technology is seamlessly integrated with the inclusion of the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment screen, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s performance characteristics.
Unleashing Hellcat Performance on the Street
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost showing off its widebody stance and performance tires
Beneath the retro-inspired skin, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is a true beast, built upon the foundation of the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. It’s powered by the formidable supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI engine, force-fed by a massive 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 via a lightning-fast 8-speed automatic transmission and performance-oriented 3.09 gears (a step up from the standard 2.62 ratio), resulting in explosive low-end acceleration.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost accelerating rapidly, demonstrating its impressive power
Officially, the Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak boasts a 0-60 mph time in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even on typical street surfaces with less-than-perfect tires, the Black Ghost effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These times were consistently recorded on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch maneuvers, without resorting to tire-warming burnouts or surface preparation. Comparing this to my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, which is about 3-4 tenths of a second slower on the same streets with stock Pirelli tires, the Redeye models, like the Black Ghost, truly distinguish themselves in mid-range acceleration.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost cornering with precision, highlighting its handling capabilities
While the initial launch of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is marginally quicker than a standard SRT Hellcat due to traction limitations at lower speeds, the real difference emerges in the rolling acceleration. Once moving, the Black Ghost truly unleashes its full 807 horsepower, leaving the original SRT Hellcat behind. This mid-range power is where the Redeye-powered Challengers truly shine, outperforming the vast majority of street-legal cars. For instance, accelerating from 60 mph on the highway in the Black Ghost results in a rapid surge into triple-digit speeds that few vehicles outside of ultra-expensive European exotics can match.
Dodge Challenger Black Ghost parked on a scenic road, showcasing its design and presence
Adding to its dynamic 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 that of a typical quarter-mile focused muscle car. The suspension offers selectable modes, ranging from the comfortable “Street” setting to the track-focused “Track” mode, with a “Sport” setting providing a balanced compromise. For many drivers, including myself, the “Track” setting remains surprisingly comfortable for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces. The Brembo brakes provide immense stopping power, instilling confidence when cornering at speed.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, it’s a rare and highly sought-after muscle car. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning vehicle that seamlessly blends classic design inspiration with exhilarating modern performance, a combination rarely found in today’s automotive landscape.
