Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an experience that perfectly encapsulates American muscle car culture. As the traffic light shifted to green, gently pressing the accelerator pedal unleashed a symphony of mechanical prowess. The deep rumble of the exhaust, intertwined with the distinct whine of the supercharger, immediately drew attention from onlookers gathered along the legendary strip. All 807 horsepower surged, briefly testing the limits of the Pirelli all-season tires before I eased off, mindful of the evening’s robust police presence.
Rolling to a stop at the next intersection, a Ford Mustang GT pulled alongside. “Sounds like a potent Scat Pack!” the passenger shouted over the engine’s idle. “Wanna race?” A subtle gesture towards the nearby police cruiser parked inconspicuously in the shadows conveyed my polite decline. A thumbs-up from the Mustang, and we all proceeded respectfully as the light changed.
As the night unfolded, and I continued my Woodward Avenue exploration in the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, repeated inquiries about impromptu races arose. Interestingly, in my own Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, such invitations are less frequent, especially from drivers of naturally aspirated pony cars. The repeated misidentification of the Black Ghost as a Scat Pack by a second Mustang driver sparked a realization. The Black Ghost’s rear stripe, a design element traditionally associated with the Challenger R/T Scat Pack, coupled with the absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badging (save for a subtle blacked-out grille emblem), contributed to this misconception. In essence, Dodge masterfully crafted an SRT Hellcat Redeye “sleeper” in tribute to Detroit’s street racing heritage of the 1970s.
While true automotive aficionados will quickly discern the supercharged nature of the beast lurking beneath the Black Ghost’s hood from the characteristic supercharger whine, its visual subtlety is undeniable. The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost delivers the unadulterated thrill of a supercharged HEMI® engine with a significantly lower profile than its more overtly aggressive Mopar® siblings. It’s an 807-horsepower muscle car masquerading, perhaps convincingly to some, as a still formidable 485-horsepower machine. For those who prefer to command immense power discreetly, the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost emerges as the ultimate choice.
Unveiling the Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive Legend
For those unfamiliar, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package is a meticulously crafted homage to the original 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE, famously driven by Godfrey Qualls – a Detroit street racing icon, decorated veteran, and city police officer. Qualls’ Challenger was distinguished by its black exterior, a striking white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. These iconic features are reborn in this “Last Call” special edition model, featuring the Scat Pack-inspired white stripe and the distinctive gator-grain roof treatment.
Further enhancing its classic appeal, the modern Black Ghost incorporates a chrome fuel door, vintage Challenger script logos adorning the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic “DODGE” chrome lettering prominently displayed on the upper fascia, mirroring the brand badging of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels, which present a bright silver appearance, a departure from the darker wheel finishes prevalent on many contemporary Dodge models. While darker wheels and minimized chrome accents are often favored in modern muscle car aesthetics, the Black Ghost package achieves a stunning visual harmony with its classic design elements and undeniable curb appeal.
Stepping inside the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost reveals a cabin that blends classic muscle car character with modern luxury. Carbon fiber trim accents, a black suede headliner, black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats, and an Alcantara steering wheel create a premium and performance-oriented atmosphere. A unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard serves as a subtle reminder of this special edition’s exclusivity. Of course, the interior also features the user-friendly 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment system, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s performance characteristics.
Unleashing Street Performance: The Heart of a Hellcat Redeye
Beneath the captivating Black Ghost aesthetics lies the formidable powertrain of the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. At its core is the monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V8 engine, force-fed by a massive 2.7-liter IHI supercharger. This potent combination produces a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio (compared to the standard 2.62), resulting in explosive low-end acceleration that defines the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost experience.
Official figures for the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak cite 0-60 mph acceleration in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even on typical street surfaces with less-than-perfect tire conditions, the supercharged Challenger effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These impressive times were consistently replicated on various street surfaces with simple launch control starts – no tire-warming burnouts or surface preparation required. In direct comparison, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, equipped with stock Pirelli tires, trails by 3-4 tenths of a second in 0-60 mph runs. However, the true performance advantage of the Redeye models, including the Black Ghost, becomes truly apparent in the mid-range acceleration.
Even with a perfectly executed launch, the immense 807 horsepower of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is partially traction-limited at lower speeds, explaining the relatively small 0-60 mph time difference compared to the standard SRT Hellcat with 100 less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is in motion, the full force of its power is unleashed, and it begins to decisively outpace the standard SRT Hellcat. This mid-range power surge is truly exceptional, exceeding the capabilities of most street-legal vehicles. It’s in this realm of acceleration that the Redeye-powered Challengers truly flex their muscle. For instance, accelerating from 60 mph on the highway in the Black Ghost results in a rocket-like surge into triple-digit speeds, a feat matched only by a handful of cars sold in the US – and most of those are significantly more expensive European exotics.
Beyond sheer straight-line speed, the Challenger Black Ghost benefits from adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This sophisticated chassis technology allows this 807-horsepower muscle car to handle corners with surprising agility, far exceeding the expectations for a traditional quarter-mile focused machine. Drivers can select from Street, Sport, and Track suspension settings. The Street setting prioritizes ride comfort, while the Track setting maximizes handling prowess. The Sport setting provides an ideal balance for spirited driving. For many enthusiasts, including myself, the Track setting remains surprisingly compliant even for daily driving on less-than-perfect road surfaces, like those found in Michigan. For those prioritizing maximum ride smoothness, the softer settings still deliver impressive cornering capabilities with minimal body roll. Should you enter a turn with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes provide immense stopping power, rapidly bringing the Challenger back to a manageable pace.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, exclusivity is guaranteed. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a truly exceptional muscle car, seamlessly blending classic design inspiration with breathtaking modern performance, a combination rarely found in today’s automotive landscape.
