It’s time to say goodbye to a legend. As the entire industry shifts from burning dinosaur juice in loud V8 engines to using electrons to propel the next generation of performance vehicles, the 2023 Dodge Challenger in the Black Ghost Special Edition is one of the 7 “Last Call models Dodge is giving fans. This performance beast has been one of the most recognizable and iconic muscle cars of its generation. As we prepare to say goodbye to the Challenger, it is only fitting we send it off with one last go around a track.
As a participant in the last 15 annual Texas Auto Writer’s Texas Auto Roundup Events, it won’t be the same next year when we show up without this legend. To that end, I strapped on my helmet and sat down with professional race instructor Moses Smith for my farewell tour in the V8 RWD performance coupe from Dodge. I am sure you can tell from the loud whine of the supercharger and the roar of the exhaust that I was not quite as bold going around some of the corners as Moses was when he took the wheel for our last lap of this beast.
I specifically asked Moses to drive one final lap with me so that I could truly experience this legend with someone who could harness its full potential behind the wheel.
Under the hood, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost Special Edition boasts a supercharged 6.2L High-Output HEMI® V8 engine that pumps out an incredible 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. The car’s Torqueflite® 8-speed automatic transmission offers either a fully automatic experience or the use of the paddles behind the wheel for a do-it-yourself option.
The Black Ghost Special Edition is based on the Redeye Widebody platform, with a wider stance and fender flares that make it stand out even more. It comes with Satin Carbon Warp Speed wheels, measuring 20x11 inches, and are wrapped in 305/35Z R20 Pirelli® P Zero® tires that provide the perfect grip in the corners. The Challenger also features 15.4-inch Brembo® two-piece brake rotors and six-piston calipers, ensuring you can make the most of the power under the hood heading into corners and slowing at the last minute.
This is 6 of 7 “Last Call” models from Dodge commemorating the end of the era. The seventh being the Daemon 170 we saw at the New York International Auto Show. The D-O-D-G-E facias badge adds a touch of nostalgia to the front, while the gator skin roof vinyl and white rear stripes make it stand out on the road.
Much like other Hellcat-powered Challengers, the Challenger Black Ghost Special Edition comes equipped with some of the most advanced technologies, including SRT Power Chiller®, which diverts air conditioning refrigerant from the interior cabin to the chiller unit, which is then directed to the heat exchangers in the supercharger. The Line Lock, Launch Assist, and Launch Control feature make it easy for drivers to achieve the perfect launch. The car also features five driver-selectable drive modes, including Track, Sport, Custom, Auto, and Eco & Valet.
The starting price for the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak is $87,690, but the Black Ghost Special Edition costs a little more at $99,315.
Saying goodbye to the 2023 Dodge Challenger won’t be easy, but the Black Ghost Special Edition is quite a way to do it. This car has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry, and its legacy will be remembered for years to come. The Hellcat-powered Challenger was not just a car; it was an experience that cannot be replicated. So, let’s raise a glass to this legend as we bid it farewell.
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost Special Edition Specs:
Supercharged 6.2L High-Output HEMI® V8 Engine
807 Horsepower
707 lb-ft of Torque
Torqueflite® 8-speed Automatic Transmission
Based on Redeye Widebody Platform with Wider Stance and Fender Flares
Satin Carbon Warp Speed Wheels
305/35ZR20 20x11-inch Wheels and Pirelli® P Zero® Tires
15.4-inch Brembo® Two-piece Brake Rotors and Six-piston Calipers
SRT Power Chiller®
Diverts Air Conditioning Refrigerant from the Interior Cabin to the Chiller Unit, Which is then Directed to the Heat Exchangers in the Supercharger
Line Lock
Launch Assist
Launch Control
Five Driver-selectable Drive Modes
Track
Sport
Custom
Auto
Eco & Valet
Seating for 5
D-O-D-G-E Facias Badge
Gator Skin Roof Vinyl
White Rear Stripes
EPA Fuel Economy: Are/You/Kidding? (city/hwy/cmb)
Starting Price: $87,690 (SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak)
Price As Tested: $99,315
First 6 images courtesy of capturingthemachine.com
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