The extinction of the saber-toothed tiger occurred around 8000 B.C. as a result of the dwindling population of its ice-age prey. Fast forward 10,000 years, and the era of Hellcats is also coming to an end, albeit due to human intervention, specifically the development of electric powertrains that render supercharged V-8 engines seemingly insignificant. While the future of Hellcats lies in electrification, there remains an opportunity to embrace the raw power of a gasoline-powered vehicle. Introducing the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost, the penultimate special edition in Dodge’s Last Call series, boasting an awe-inspiring 807 horsepower derived from the combustion of refined petroleum.
The Black Ghost should not be mistaken for the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge. It is a pumped-up version of the Challenger Redeye, paying homage to the legendary 1970 Hemi Challenger RT/SE, a powerful vehicle that dominated the Detroit street-racing scene. The original Black Ghost, owned by Godfrey Qualls, featured a distinctive gator-grain vinyl roof and a white stripe at the rear. Qualls, a city cop, earned the nickname Black Ghost due to his tendency to swiftly depart after races. After Qualls’ passing in 2015, his son sold the car at the 2023 Mecum Indy auction for an impressive $1,072,500. While only one original 1970 Black Ghost exists, Dodge is producing 300 tributes of the 2023 model, available at the affordable price of $103,010, which includes the $2100 gas-guzzler tax.
The Black Ghost is the sixth edition in the Last Call series of seven cars, with the final one being the Challenger SRT Demon 170. It is more than just a tape-and-stripe package added to the Challenger Redeye. Although not significantly different, the Black Ghost extracts an additional 10 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine, thanks to the revised powertrain calibration borrowed from the Challenger Super Stock. The peak power is achieved at 6400 rpm, 100 more revs than the less powerful variant. This extra power becomes particularly useful in situations where 797 horsepower falls short.
In terms of appearance, the Black Ghost closely resembles the Challenger SRT Redeye Widebody, but with a touch of subtlety. There are no Hellcat badges with ruby eyes; instead, the grille, flanks, and rear spoiler proudly display the classic Challenger script. The exterior is finished in Pitch Black, complemented by the white decklid stripe. The black gator-pattern roof vinyl pays homage to the original Black Ghost. To ensure stability, chrome hood pins are featured, giving drivers peace of mind during exhilarating 128-mph quarter-mile passes.
The trap speed we observed in a 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody was similar to what we expect from the Black Ghost. With its traction limited, the Black Ghost, like other Hellcat Challengers, is likely to perform in a similar range. By equipping it with drag radials and utilizing a prepared surface, it could potentially break into the 10-second range (we have witnessed Redeyes on stock tires achieving very low 11-second times at the strip). However, in practical terms, the Black Ghost excels at burnouts. The Redeye achieved a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, but this requires disciplined throttle control at the launch. If you unleash the throttle without caution, you’ll experience leisurely acceleration as the 305/35R-20 Pirelli P Zero All Season tires transform from rubber to heat, noise, and smoke. This phenomenon persists even when the Ghost is already rolling at higher speeds. It’s worth noting that when attempting to pass on a 55-mph road, you might need to ensure traction is maintained before going full throttle. Notably, the Redeye’s 50-to-70-mph acceleration time in top gear (2.2 seconds) is almost identical to its 30-to-50-mph time (2.1 seconds). At 30 mph in a Hellcat Challenger, tire management remains a priority.
While the Challenger is known for its muscle-bound persona, designed to excel in straight-line speed and perhaps annoy neighboring BMW owners, its 807 horsepower demands a level of competence in handling and braking. Although not particularly agile, the Black Ghost is not a one-dimensional machine like muscle cars of the past. In testing, the Challenger SRT Redeye Widebody, sharing the same chassis, achieved a skidpad grip of 0.98 g with the assistance of Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tires. It also relied on its six-piston Brembo front brakes to come to a stop from 70 mph in just 153 feet, a performance similar to that of a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51. The Challenger may exaggerate its character at every turn, as demonstrated by the Power Chiller mode that cools the engine intake with the air-conditioning system instead of the cabin. However, it is clear that the Challenger is serious about more than just horsepower and quarter-mile times.
