It was a balmy Friday evening in Detroit when I found myself behind the wheel of the brand-new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost. Cruising down Woodward Avenue, as the traffic light turned green, I gently pressed the accelerator, then gradually increased pressure. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the distinctive whine of the supercharger instantly grabbed the attention of onlookers lining Woodward Avenue. All 807 horsepower strained against the Pirelli all-season tires, pushing them to their grip limits.
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost roaring down Woodward Avenue, showcasing its powerful presence and heritage-inspired design.
Just as quickly as the supercharger boost kicked in, I eased off the throttle, shifted gears, and allowed the supercharged Challenger to coast. The police presence was noticeable that Friday night, and staying within the speed limit was a priority. As I approached the next red light and came to a stop, I observed a police officer pull out from a side street and into a dimly lit parking lot, switching off his lights and effectively disappearing into the shadows. Moments later, a very loud Ford Mustang GT pulled up beside me at the light. The passenger shouted over, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” I nodded towards the police officer parked just ahead. The Mustang occupants gave a thumbs up, and when the light changed, we all proceeded cautiously.
Side view of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye at a stop light, highlighting its classic styling and widebody stance.
As the night progressed and I continued my Woodward Avenue cruise, several more people inquired about racing. Interestingly, when I drive my personal Challenger SRT® Hellcat, I receive far fewer racing challenges from typical pony cars. However, when a second person in a naturally aspirated Ford Mustang mistook the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, it sparked a thought. The rear stripe on the Black Ghost is traditionally exclusive to the Challenger R/T Scat Pack, and the car lacks SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear or sides – only the classic Challenger script logo is present. The sole Srt Hellcat emblem is subtly placed on the black grille, rendering it almost invisible at night with the headlights on.
Front grille detail of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, emphasizing the subtle black SRT Hellcat badge and classic Challenger script logo.
The reason so many less powerful pony cars were eager to race me on Woodward Avenue was their assumption that it was an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a brilliant tribute to a Detroit street racing legend from the 1970s, Dodge engineers masterfully crafted an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper.
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye showcasing its distinctive white rear stripe and gator-skin roof, paying homage to its classic inspiration.
In reality, most car enthusiasts who hear the supercharger’s whine will quickly deduce that this is at least a modified Challenger Scat Pack. Once the Black Ghost clears its throat with a rev, most will recognize the unmistakable sound of a supercharged engine, not naturally aspirated. However, for those seeking the raw power of a supercharged HEMI® engine without overtly advertising it, this Dodge Challenger is significantly more understated than its Mopar® muscle car counterparts.
In essence, it’s an 807-horsepower muscle car disguised as a 485-horsepower one, making it the ideal choice for those who prefer to keep a low profile while enjoying immense performance.
The Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive History
For those unfamiliar, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package draws its inspiration from the iconic 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a street racer, decorated veteran, and Detroit police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was famed for its black exterior, a distinctive white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-skin-style roof. This Last Call special edition model inherits the white stripe from Scat Pack models and the gator-skin roof treatment as a direct homage. 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, mirroring the brand badging on the 1970 models. The exterior package also includes black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels, which appear as a bright silver against the darker wheels common on many contemporary Dodge models. While dark wheels and minimal chrome are often favored on modern muscle cars, the Black Ghost package achieves a beautiful classic appeal.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat boasts carbon fiber trim, 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 features the 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment screen, complete with controls for SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune their SRT Hellcat experience.
Unleashing SRT Hellcat Performance on the Street
Interior view of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye, showcasing the carbon fiber trim, Alcantara leather seats, and SRT performance features.
Under the hood, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye is based on the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. This means it’s powered by the monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® engine, boosted by a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger. This powerhouse delivers a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a rapid 8-speed automatic transmission and 3.09 gears (compared to the standard 2.62), making this SRT Hellcat a true force in low-end acceleration.
Engine bay close-up of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye, highlighting the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI engine and its impressive power output.
Officially, the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak achieves 0-60 mph in around 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. However, even with less-than-perfect tire conditions on typical street surfaces, this supercharged Challenger consistently achieves 0-60 mph sprints in just 3.6 seconds. These times were recorded on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch starts – no tire burnouts or surface preparations. For perspective, my own 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat on stock Pirelli tires is about 0.3 to 0.4 seconds slower. The real advantage of the Redeye models, including the Black Ghost SRT Hellcat, over the original SRT Hellcat lies in the mid-range power delivery.
Side profile of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye in motion, emphasizing its powerful stance and performance capabilities.
Even with a strong launch in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat, only a portion of the available 807 horsepower can be fully utilized, explaining the marginal few tenths of a second difference compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with 100 less horsepower in initial acceleration. However, once the Black Ghost is moving, all that immense power becomes truly usable, allowing it to significantly outpace my 2017 SRT Hellcat. This mid-range acceleration is superior to most street-legal cars. Redeye-powered vehicles truly flex their muscle in this speed range. For instance, cruising at 60 mph on the highway in the Black Ghost and flooring the accelerator will propel the car into triple-digit speeds with astonishing rapidity, outperforming most cars sold in the US. The few cars that can deliver stronger mid-range acceleration are typically European exotics costing many times more than any Dodge product.
Front three-quarter view of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat Redeye, showcasing its aggressive styling and performance-oriented design.
Adding to its prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost SRT Hellcat 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 effectively than a typical quarter-mile focused machine. Drivers can select the Street suspension setting for a smoother ride, or switch to Track setting for aggressive cornering, with a Sport setting offering a balanced blend of handling and comfort. For many, including myself, the Track setting remains comfortable for daily driving, even on rough roads. For those prioritizing maximum comfort, the softer settings still provide impressive cornering abilities with minimal body roll. Should you enter a turn with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes swiftly bring the Challenger back to manageable speeds.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, it’s a rare find. However, for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that masterfully blends classic design cues with incredible modern SRT Hellcat performance, a combination unmatched by few other vehicles on the market.
