Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an experience unlike any other. As the traffic light turned green, gently pressing the throttle unleashed a symphony of sounds – the deep roar of the exhaust harmonizing with the supercharger’s high-pitched whine. Heads turned from every parking lot along Woodward, captivated by the raw power of 807 horses straining against the Pirelli tires.
Moments later, easing off the gas and letting the supercharged beast coast was a necessary reminder of the evening’s heightened police presence. Pulling up to the next red light, a Ford Mustang GT pulled alongside. The passenger, mistaking the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack, yelled, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” A subtle gesture towards a nearby police cruiser diffused the challenge, replaced by a mutual understanding and thumbs-up as we all respectfully drove on.
This scenario repeated itself throughout the night. While driving my own Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat usually attracts less attention from other pony car drivers, the Black Ghost, with its understated badging and Scat Pack-esque stripe, became an unexpected magnet for street race invitations. The absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badges, save for a blacked-out grille emblem easily lost in the nighttime shadows, contributed to this intriguing case of mistaken identity.
The brilliance of the Dodge Challenger Black Ghost lies in this very deception. Paying homage to a legendary Detroit street racer and his 1970 Challenger R/T SE, Dodge has masterfully crafted an SRT Hellcat Redeye “sleeper.” While astute enthusiasts will quickly recognize the telltale supercharger whine, to the untrained ear, it could easily be mistaken for a less potent Challenger R/T Scat Pack. This ingenious design caters to those who crave the monstrous power of a supercharged HEMI engine but prefer to keep a low profile.
In essence, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Black Ghost is an 807-horsepower muscle car disguised as a 485-horsepower one. This makes it the ultimate choice for drivers who appreciate unparalleled performance without unnecessary attention – a true wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive History
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package is a meticulously crafted tribute to the original 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE, famously driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit police officer and Vietnam War veteran known for his street racing prowess. Qualls’ Challenger was distinguished by its black paint, a striking white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. The modern Black Ghost edition echoes these iconic features, incorporating the white stripe reminiscent of Scat Pack models and the distinctive gator-grain roof treatment.
Further enhancing its classic aesthetic, the Black Ghost features a chrome fuel door, elegant Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the timeless DODGE chrome lettering across the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – a design cue directly inspired by the 1970 models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. These wheels, appearing almost bright silver, offer a compelling contrast to the darker wheel trends prevalent in contemporary Dodge designs, adding to the Black Ghost’s vintage charm. While modern muscle car aesthetics often lean towards darkened elements and reduced chrome, the Black Ghost package stands out as a stunningly beautiful exception, radiating classic muscle car appeal.
Inside, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Black Ghost continues the premium feel with carbon fiber accents, a luxurious black suede headliner, black Alcantara and Laguna Leather seats, and an Alcantara steering wheel. A unique Black Ghost badge adorns the passenger side dashboard, further distinguishing this special edition. Of course, it also includes the advanced 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, providing seamless control over SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune their driving experience.
Unleashing Hellcat Redeye Performance on the Street
Beneath the surface, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost shares its formidable foundation with the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. At its heart lies a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, force-fed by a massive 2.7-liter IHI supercharger. This powerhouse delivers a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque, channeled to the rear wheels through a responsive 8-speed automatic transmission and a performance-oriented 3.09 rear axle ratio. This gearing choice, a step up from the standard 2.62 ratio, transforms the Black Ghost into an acceleration monster, particularly off the line.
Official figures for the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak boast 0-60 mph times in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even on regular street surfaces with less-than-perfect tires, the Black Ghost effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These impressive times were consistently replicated on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch techniques, without resorting to tire-warming burnouts or surface preparation. Compared to my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat on stock Pirelli tires, the Black Ghost demonstrates a slight edge in initial acceleration. However, the true performance advantage of the Redeye models, including the Black Ghost, becomes strikingly apparent in the mid-range acceleration.
While the initial launch might only yield a few tenths of a second improvement over the standard SRT Hellcat due to traction limitations, the Black Ghost’s 807 horsepower truly comes alive once it’s moving. This is where it decisively outpaces the original SRT Hellcat. The mid-range pull is phenomenal, surpassing the capabilities of most street-legal cars. Redeye-powered Challengers excel in this aspect, showcasing their raw power most emphatically during highway speeds. For instance, accelerating from 60 mph on the highway in the Black Ghost results in an almost instantaneous surge into triple-digit speeds, a feat matched only by a select few, often significantly more expensive, European exotic cars.
Adding to its dynamic prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination elevates its handling far beyond the typical quarter-mile focused muscle car. Drivers can select “Street” suspension mode for a comfortable ride, or switch to “Track” mode for sharpened cornering capabilities. The “Sport” setting provides a balanced compromise. For many, including myself, the “Track” setting remains surprisingly comfortable for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces. For those prioritizing ultimate smoothness, the softer settings still deliver impressive cornering agility with minimal body roll. And when entering a turn with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes provide rapid and confident deceleration.
With only 300 units produced, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is a rare and highly sought-after gem. For those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a truly exceptional muscle car that seamlessly blends classic design inspiration with breathtaking modern performance – a unique offering in today’s automotive landscape and a standout within the Dodge Challenger Hellcat lineage.
