Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an experience like no other. As the traffic light turned green, gently pressing the throttle was enough to unleash a symphony of sound. The deep roar of the exhaust combined with the unmistakable whine of the supercharger immediately drew attention from onlookers gathered along Woodward, all while the staggering 807 horsepower began to test the limits of the Pirelli tires.
Just as quickly as the power surged, the accelerator was eased, shifting gears and allowing the supercharged Challenger to coast. The evening’s atmosphere included a noticeable police presence, making it wise to keep speeds in check. Approaching the next red light and coming to a halt, a police vehicle was observed pulling off the main road into a dimly lit parking area, extinguishing its lights and blending into the shadows. Moments later, a Ford Mustang GT, audibly modified, pulled up beside. The passenger, leaning out, shouted, “Your Scat Pack sounds mean – wanna race?” A gesture towards the discreetly parked police officer ahead prompted a thumbs-up from the Mustang occupants, and as the light changed, both cars smoothly continued their cruise.
As the night progressed along Woodward Avenue, numerous individuals inquired about racing. Typically, driving a Challenger SRT® Hellcat garners less racing challenges from standard pony cars. However, when a second person mistook the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, the design intent became clear. The Black Ghost’s distinctive rear stripe is traditionally associated with the Challenger R/T Scat Pack, and the absence of SRT or Hellcat badges on the rear or sides—only the classic Challenger script logo—contributes to this understated appearance. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem, found on the grille, is blacked out, rendering it nearly invisible at night with headlights illuminated.
The repeated inquiries from drivers of less powerful cars seeking a race stemmed from the perception that the Black Ghost was merely an R/T Scat Pack Widebody. In a brilliant homage to Detroit’s 1970s street racing legacy, Dodge engineers masterfully created an SRT Hellcat Redeye in disguise – a true sleeper.
While the supercharger whine is a telltale sign for seasoned car enthusiasts, quickly dispelling the Scat Pack illusion, the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost achieves remarkable subtlety for a supercharged HEMI® powered machine. For those desiring immense performance without overt attention, this Dodge Challenger presents a far more understated presence compared to its Mopar® muscle car counterparts. In essence, it’s an 807-horsepower beast masquerading as a 485-horsepower muscle car, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to keep a low profile.
The Black Ghost Package
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package pays tribute to the original 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Detroit street racing legend and police officer Godfrey Qualls. Qualls’ iconic Challenger featured a black exterior, a distinctive white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. This “Last Call” special edition incorporates these elements, including the Scat Pack-inspired white stripe and the gator-grain roof treatment. Further enhancing the classic aesthetic are period-correct chrome details: a chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and classic DODGE chrome lettering across the upper front fascia, reminiscent of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and satin carbon “Warp Speed” wheels. While modern muscle car trends often favor darker wheels and reduced chrome, the Black Ghost package strikes a beautiful balance, exuding undeniable classic appeal.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost boasts carbon fiber interior 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 system, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and SRT Performance Pages for performance customization and monitoring.
Big Performance on the Street
Underneath the retro-inspired skin, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is built upon the formidable SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak platform. This means it’s powered by a 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. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a responsive 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio, enhancing low-end acceleration.
Official figures for the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak cite 0-60 mph times in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even with standard street tires on typical road surfaces, the supercharged Challenger effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in around 3.6 seconds. These times were consistently recorded on various street surfaces from a standstill start, without tire warm-up or surface preparation. Compared to a 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat on stock Pirelli tires, the Black Ghost shaves a few tenths off the acceleration time. However, the Redeye truly distinguishes itself in mid-range acceleration.
Despite the immense 807 horsepower of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, initial launch performance is only marginally quicker than the standard SRT Hellcat due to traction limitations. However, once in motion, the Black Ghost’s power advantage becomes undeniable, exhibiting significantly stronger mid-range pull compared to the original SRT Hellcat. On the highway, accelerating from 60 mph in the Black Ghost propels the car into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity, outperforming most vehicles on American roads, save for exotic European models costing multiples more than any Dodge.
Furthermore, the Challenger Black Ghost benefits from adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and substantial six-piston Brembo brakes, endowing this 807-horsepower muscle car with handling prowess far exceeding typical quarter-mile focused machines. Drivers can select “Street” suspension mode for a more compliant ride or “Track” mode for enhanced cornering agility, with “Sport” mode offering a balanced compromise. For many, “Track” mode remains comfortable enough for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces, while smoother settings still provide impressive cornering with minimal body roll. The Brembo brakes inspire confidence, rapidly bringing the Challenger to manageable speeds when entering corners with excessive momentum.
With only 300 units produced, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition is a rare find. However, for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that seamlessly blends classic design inspiration with unparalleled modern performance, setting it apart in today’s automotive landscape.
