Detroit’s Woodward Avenue on a Friday night, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of high-octane fuel. There I was, behind the wheel of the brand-new 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost, a true Hellcat Car Challenger in spirit and power. As the traffic light shifted to green, I gently pressed the throttle, the beast beneath the hood stirring to life. Just a touch more pressure, and the symphony began – the guttural roar of the exhaust harmonizing with the high-pitched whine of the supercharger. Heads turned in the packed parking lots lining Woodward, captivated by the auditory declaration of 807 horsepower straining against the limits of the Pirelli three-season tires.
Just as quickly as the supercharger spooled up, I eased off, shifted gears, and let the Challenger glide. The evening air was thick with more than just humidity; a palpable police presence kept the street racing urges in check. Rolling to a stop at the next red light, I noticed a patrol car discreetly pull into a darkened parking lot, its lights extinguished, melting into the shadows. Moments later, the rumble of a Ford Mustang GT announced its arrival beside me. “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty good – wanna race?” the passenger yelled, challenging the seemingly unassuming muscle car. A quick gesture towards the lurking police cruiser was enough. A thumbs-up from the Mustang crew, and as the light turned green, we all cruised onward, a silent understanding passing between fellow enthusiasts on the legendary strip.
As the night deepened and I continued my Woodward cruise in this remarkable hellcat car challenger, the racing invitations persisted. Driving my personal Challenger SRT® Hellcat usually attracts less attention from the typical pony car crowd. But twice now, drivers of naturally aspirated Fords had mistaken the Black Ghost for a Scat Pack. It dawned on me – the subtle genius of Dodge’s design. The rear stripe, traditionally a Scat Pack hallmark, coupled with the absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badging (save for a stealthy black grille emblem), created an illusion. Under the cloak of darkness, with headlights blazing, the grille badge became virtually invisible.
The constant challenges to race, fueled by mistaken identity, revealed the brilliance of Dodge’s strategy. In paying homage to a Detroit street racing legend of the 1970s, they had achieved something audacious – crafting an SRT Hellcat Redeye sleeper. This wasn’t just a muscle car; it was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a true hellcat car challenger designed to surprise and dominate.
Of course, the discerning ear of a true car aficionado would likely detect the telltale whine of the supercharger, hinting that this Challenger was far from ordinary. Once the Black Ghost clears its throat, the rumble emanating from its exhaust system is unmistakably not that of a naturally aspirated engine. However, for those seeking the raw, untamed power of a supercharged HEMI® without broadcasting it to the world, this Dodge Challenger Black Ghost offers a level of stealth unmatched by its more overtly aggressive Mopar® siblings.
In essence, this is an 807-horsepower muscle car masquerading, convincingly, as a 485-horsepower powerhouse. For those who prefer to operate under the radar, to possess immense power discreetly, the Black Ghost is arguably the ultimate choice in the current market.
The Black Ghost Package: A Nod to Heritage
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package is more than just a cosmetic upgrade; it’s a deliberate homage to the legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE driven by Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racing icon, decorated veteran, and Detroit police officer. Qualls’ original “Black Ghost” Challenger was famed for its black paint, distinctive white tail stripe, and a unique 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 are key visual links to its heritage. Further enhancing the classic aesthetic are period-correct chrome touches: a chrome fuel door, Challenger script logos adorning the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering proudly displayed on the upper fascia, just ahead of the hood – mirroring the branding of the 1970s models. The exterior package is completed with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels. While modern muscle car trends often favor darker wheels and minimal chrome, the Black Ghost package stands out as a strikingly beautiful exception, exuding undeniable classic muscle car charm.
Stepping inside the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost reveals an interior that balances retro style with modern luxury. Carbon fiber trim accents, a black suede headliner, and black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats create a sophisticated and performance-oriented ambiance. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel adds a tactile touch of sportiness. A unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger-side dashboard serves as a subtle reminder of this Challenger’s special lineage. Of course, modern amenities are not forgotten, with the inclusion of the 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment screen, providing seamless control over SRT Drive Modes and the SRT Performance Pages application, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s performance characteristics.
Unleashed Performance on the Street: A True Hellcat Experience
Beneath the surface, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is unequivocally a hellcat car challenger, built upon the formidable foundation of the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak. At its heart lies the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® engine, force-fed by a massive 2.7-liter IHI supercharger, unleashing a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. This immense power is channeled to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast 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 pins you firmly against the seat.
Officially, the Redeye Widebody Jailbreak boasts 0-60 mph times in the 3.4-second range under ideal conditions. However, even on less-than-perfect street surfaces and with “street” tires, the Black Ghost effortlessly achieves 0-60 sprints in a blistering 3.6 seconds. These figures were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch runs – no tire-warming burnouts, no surface preparation needed. In direct comparison, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, running on stock Pirelli tires, lags behind by a few tenths of a second in the 0-60 sprint. However, the true advantage of the Redeye, and by extension the Black Ghost hellcat car challenger, emerges in the mid-range acceleration.
Even with a perfectly executed launch, the sheer 807 horsepower of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is partially constrained by traction limitations at lower speeds. This explains the relatively small gap in 0-60 times compared to a standard SRT Hellcat with 100 less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is rolling, the full force of its power comes into play, and it decisively pulls away from the older SRT Hellcat. This mid-range thrust is simply phenomenal, exceeding that of almost any other street-legal car. It’s in this realm that the Redeye-powered Challengers truly flex their muscle. For instance, cruising at 60 mph on the highway and then burying the accelerator pedal sends the Black Ghost rocketing into triple-digit speeds with breathtaking rapidity – a feat matched only by a handful of cars in the market, most of which are European exotics costing several times more than any Dodge.
Adding to its dynamic prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive, adjustable Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This potent combination endows this 807-horsepower muscle car with handling capabilities far exceeding expectations for a quarter-mile dominator. The suspension offers selectable modes: “Street” for a comfortable ride, “Track” for maximum cornering performance, and “Sport” for a balanced blend. For most drivers, including myself, the “Track” setting proves surprisingly compliant even on less-than-perfect road surfaces, like those found in Michigan. For those prioritizing ultimate smoothness, the softer settings still deliver impressive cornering agility with minimal body roll. Should you enter a turn with excessive enthusiasm, the Brembo brakes stand ready to swiftly bring the Challenger back to a manageable pace.
With only 300 examples of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost special edition produced, exclusivity is guaranteed. Finding one may present a challenge, but for those fortunate enough to acquire this hellcat car challenger, they possess a truly exceptional muscle car. It masterfully blends classic design inspiration with breathtaking modern performance in a way that few other vehicles on the road can match.
