Cruising down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue on a Friday night in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is an experience that perfectly blends nostalgia with raw power. As the traffic light shifted to green, gently pressing the throttle quickly turned into demanding more. The symphony of the roaring exhaust and the supercharger’s whine instantly drew attention from onlookers along Woodward, as the full force of 807 horsepower strained the Pirelli all-season tires. This Black Challenger Car was eager to unleash its potential.
Just as quickly as the power surged, I eased off, shifting gears and letting the supercharged black challenger car glide. The evening’s heavy police presence was a reminder to keep the immense power in check. Approaching the next red light, I noticed a police cruiser subtly pulling into a dimly lit parking lot, its lights disappearing into the shadows. Moments later, a loud Ford Mustang GT pulled up beside me. The passenger’s shout cut through the air, “Your Scat Pack sounds pretty mean – race?” A nod towards the parked officer was enough. The Mustang occupants gave a knowing thumbs up, and as the light turned green, we all cruised onward, respecting the street’s unspoken rules.
As the night unfolded on Woodward Avenue, more people inquired about racing. Interestingly, while my own Challenger SRT® Hellcat attracts less attention from typical pony cars, this black challenger car, the Black Ghost, drew numerous challenges, even mistaken for a Scat Pack. The rear stripe, usually a Scat Pack signature, coupled with the absence of prominent SRT or Hellcat badges (save for a subtle black grille emblem), contributed to this understated appearance. In the dark, with headlights on, the SRT Hellcat badge is virtually invisible.
This confusion, however, was the genius of Dodge’s tribute to a 1970s Detroit street racing legend. They had masterfully created an SRT Hellcat Redeye “sleeper” in this black challenger car. The Black Ghost package delivers top-tier performance with an unexpected level of subtlety.
Of course, the supercharger whine is a telltale sign for many car enthusiasts, hinting that this black challenger car is more than just a Scat Pack. The distinctive roar of the engine quickly dispels any doubts for those familiar with performance vehicles. Yet, for drivers seeking the thrill of a supercharged HEMI® without overtly broadcasting it, this Dodge Challenger Black Ghost offers a level of discretion unmatched by its muscle car counterparts.
Essentially, this black challenger car is an 807-horsepower beast disguised as a 485-horsepower machine. It’s the ideal choice for those who prefer to keep a low profile while possessing exhilarating power, a true wolf in sheep’s clothing within the muscle car world.
The Essence of the Black Ghost Package
The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost package pays homage to the legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE of Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit street racer, decorated veteran, and police officer. Qualls’ original Challenger was distinguished by its black paint, a white tail stripe, and a unique black vinyl gator-grain roof. This modern iteration captures that spirit with the Scat Pack-inspired white stripe and the distinctive gator-grain roof treatment, making it a visually striking black challenger car.
Further enhancing its classic appeal, the Black Ghost features a chrome fuel door, vintage Challenger script logos on the grille, fenders, and rear spoiler, and the classic DODGE chrome lettering across the upper fascia, reminiscent of the 1970s badging. The exterior is completed with black Mopar hood pins and “Warp Speed” satin carbon wheels, which offer a brighter silver finish compared to the darker wheels prevalent on many modern Dodge models, adding to the vintage aesthetic of this black challenger car. While darker wheels and minimal chrome are often favored on contemporary muscle cars, the Black Ghost package’s embrace of classic chrome elements results in a genuinely stunning vehicle with undeniable retro charm.
Inside, this black challenger car boasts carbon fiber accents, a black suede headliner, black Alcantara/Laguna Leather seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and a unique Black Ghost badge on the passenger dashboard. It also incorporates the modern 8.4-inch Uconnect® infotainment system, providing access to SRT Drive Modes and SRT Performance Pages, blending classic aesthetics with modern technology.
Unleashing Performance on the Road
Beneath the surface, 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 engine with a 2.7-liter IHI supercharger, delivering a staggering 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque, making it a true high-performance black challenger car. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a responsive 8-speed automatic transmission and a 3.09 gear ratio (up from the standard 2.62), resulting in explosive 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, this black challenger car effortlessly achieves 0-60 mph sprints in around 3.6 seconds. These times were consistently achieved on various street surfaces with simple stop-and-launch techniques, without tire warm-up or surface preparation. In comparison, my personal 2017 Challenger SRT Hellcat, with stock Pirelli tires, is a few tenths of a second slower. The Redeye models, however, truly distinguish themselves in mid-range acceleration.
Even with an optimal launch, the 807 horsepower of this black challenger car is partially constrained by traction limitations at lower speeds. This explains the relatively small difference in 0-60 mph times compared to the standard SRT Hellcat with less horsepower. However, once the Black Ghost is moving, the full force of its power becomes apparent, significantly outperforming my 2017 SRT Hellcat, especially in the mid-range. This mid-range power is truly exceptional, surpassing most street-legal vehicles. Only high-end European sports cars, costing significantly more than any Dodge, can rival its acceleration at higher speeds. For instance, accelerating from 60 mph on the highway in the Black Ghost results in a rapid surge into triple-digit speeds, a feat few cars in its class can match.
Adding to its performance prowess, the Challenger Black Ghost is equipped with adaptive Bilstein dampers and massive six-piston Brembo brakes. This combination provides handling capabilities far exceeding typical quarter-mile focused muscle cars. Drivers can select “Street” suspension for a smoother ride or “Track” mode for enhanced cornering, with “Sport” mode offering a balanced compromise. For many, including myself, the “Track” setting remains comfortable enough for daily driving, even on imperfect road surfaces, while still providing excellent handling and minimal body roll. In situations where corner entry speeds are slightly too ambitious, the Brembo brakes quickly and effectively bring this powerful black challenger car under control.
With only 300 units produced, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is a rare find. However, for those fortunate enough to acquire one, they possess a remarkable muscle car. It seamlessly blends classic design cues with modern, breathtaking performance, making it a truly unique and highly desirable vehicle in the automotive landscape.
