Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a warm Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, the allure of raw American muscle was palpable. As the traffic light turned green, gently pressing the throttle was enough to awaken the beast within. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the unmistakable whine of the supercharger instantly drew attention from onlookers lining Woodward Avenue, each of the 807 horsepower straining against the Pirelli three-season tires. This wasn’t just another Challenger; this was a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye in disguise.
Moments later, easing off the throttle and shifting gears, the supercharged Challenger coasted, a conscious decision to respect the heavy police presence that Friday night. Pulling up to the next red light, a police cruiser materialized from a side street, parking discreetly in a darkened lot, lights extinguished, melting into the shadows. Seconds ticked by, and the rumble of a Ford Mustang GT filled the air, pulling alongside. “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” the passenger yelled, challenging the seemingly unassuming Challenger. A gesture towards the lurking police officer was enough. Thumbs up from the Mustang, and a slow, respectful departure when the light turned green. This encounter perfectly encapsulated the brilliance of the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Black Ghost: potent power hidden beneath a veil of understated aggression.
Throughout the evening, cruising Woodward, the Challenger Black Ghost attracted numerous racing propositions. Interestingly, in a personal Challenger SRT Hellcat, such challenges are less frequent, especially from typical pony cars. The key to this mistaken identity? The Black Ghost’s rear stripe, a feature traditionally associated with the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Adding to the confusion, SRT or Hellcat badges are conspicuously absent from the rear and sides, replaced by the classic Challenger script logo. The sole SRT Hellcat emblem, blacked out on the grille, becomes virtually invisible at night with the headlights blazing. This deliberate lack of overt badging led many to believe they were facing a Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody, a testament to Dodge’s masterful creation of an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper, paying homage to Detroit’s street racing heritage of the 1970s.
While astute automotive enthusiasts will quickly recognize the telltale supercharger whine, dispelling any Scat Pack illusions, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Black Ghost achieves something remarkable. It delivers the ferocious performance of a supercharged HEMI engine with a level of subtlety unmatched by its Mopar muscle car counterparts. It’s an 807-horsepower beast masquerading as a 485-horsepower machine, making it the ideal choice for those who prefer to command immense power discreetly.
The Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Automotive History
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package is more than just a styling exercise; it’s a tribute to the legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racing icon, decorated veteran, and city police officer. Qualls’ original Black Ghost was renowned for its black paint, white tail stripe, and distinctive black vinyl gator-grain roof. These iconic elements are reborn in this Last Call special edition. The white stripe, borrowed from Scat Pack models, and the gator-grain roof treatment immediately evoke the classic era. Further enhancing the retro aesthetic are details like the chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos adorning the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering proudly positioned on the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – mirroring the badging of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and satin carbon “Warp Speed” wheels, which present a bright silver finish, contrasting with the prevalent dark wheel trend in modern Dodge designs. While contemporary muscle car aesthetics often lean towards darker wheels and minimal chrome, the Black Ghost package masterfully blends classic charm with modern appeal.
Inside, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost continues the theme of sophisticated performance. Carbon fiber trim accents the interior, complemented by a black suede headliner and luxurious black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats. The Alcantara steering wheel adds a touch of sporty elegance, while a unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger side dashboard serves as a subtle reminder of this special edition’s exclusivity. Of course, the cabin is equipped with the user-friendly 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment screen, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and the comprehensive SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s performance characteristics.
Street Performance: Hellcat Redeye Unleashed
Beneath the Black Ghost’s retro skin lies the heart of a beast: the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak powertrain. This means 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 rapid-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and performance-oriented 3.09 gears (a step up from the standard 2.62), resulting in explosive low-end acceleration that defines this car’s character.
Officially, the Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak achieves 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds under ideal conditions. Even on less-than-perfect street surfaces with standard tires, the Black Ghost effortlessly clocks 0-60 mph sprints in a mere 3.6 seconds. These impressive times were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch maneuvers, without resorting to tire-warming burnouts or surface preparation. Compared to a standard 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, the Redeye Black Ghost demonstrates a slight edge in initial acceleration, but the true performance gap widens in the mid-range.
While the initial launch from a standstill might only utilize a fraction of the 807 horsepower, leading to a modest improvement over the standard SRT Hellcat in 0-60 times, the Black Ghost truly shines once it’s moving. The mid-range acceleration is where the Redeye’s enhanced power becomes undeniably dominant, leaving most street cars far behind. Highway cruising at 60 mph transforms into warp speed with a mere press of the accelerator, catapulting the car into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking ferocity. Only a select few, often significantly more expensive European exotics, can rival this level of mid-range thrust.
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 handling far beyond the typical quarter-mile focused muscle car. Drivers can select “Street” suspension for a comfortable ride or engage “Track” mode for sharpened cornering capabilities. “Sport” mode provides a balanced compromise. For many, including the author, the “Track” setting remains surprisingly compliant for daily driving, even on less-than-perfect roads. When encountering corners with excessive speed, the Brembo brakes deliver rapid and confident deceleration.
Limited to just 300 units, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an exclusive package, not easily found. However, for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a stunning muscle car that seamlessly merges iconic classic design with breathtaking modern performance, offering a unique and highly desirable driving experience. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Black Ghost is a testament to American muscle car heritage, reimagined for the modern era.
