2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost; One of the Last Hellcats | MotorWeek Track Test

[@jorgerodrigogomezflores5711]

It’s a dream, but dealers are charging a 100k markup on these. So putting your hands on one will be “Challenging” at best.

[@2006Mercury]

Best comment ever

[@rj9617]

Well crafted

[@banshee107]

Well done

[@droomkoning3266]

Nicely said my friend

[@BigKAPOVEVO]

That…was a good one

[@DavesClassicCars]

It's so great to see Mr John Davis still doing these reviews. No one does it better!

[@dclipper8052]

Sounds like he's thankfully finally run out of all those extra H's, too!

[@blairbrown4812]

It's hard to believe that his career actually began at the tail end of the oil crisis when cars like the Chevrolet Citation and Dodge K-cars ruled the road.

[@Camaro69z]

At least I can say I lived thru the muscle car revival the past 15 years. It was a fun ride. Now, it's going to be a very quiet artificial ride from here on out.

[@jodythepig1]

yes been there done that-now for the plug in vacuum cleaners!!!

[@thebigpicture2032]

Makes me wonder how many electric ones they will sell. Seems pointless to me. I’m not against electric vehicles but I’ll never buy an all electric Challenger.

[@User_92020]

Challenger is soooo over rated, glad it will end!!!!

[@bobquattrini1787]

@@User_92020 Jealous of the beast Or you like garbage ford's?? Lol

[@C8Z51Scott]

@@User_92020 Its faster than your mom's Dodge Minivan.

[@Shinobi6407]

This makes me appreciate the short run of the Dodge Demon. That machine was unforgettable.

[@LMBC6Brian]

Lol you didnt hear?

[@MariuszChr]

​@@LMBC6Brian 😂

[@massappeals7122]

Motorweek videos are like a throwback to the late 2000s car reviews

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

Try early 80s! Check out their archives. Pure gold.

[@rushmatic]

I love that they are paying homage to the black ghost

[@programmerm5907]

Wonder if they’ll do a General Lee for the Charger

[@rushmatic]

@@programmerm5907 I would REALLY LOVE THAT!!! I’m a brown guy and I always loved the General Lee

[@programmerm5907]

@@rushmatic I feel like it would look best on a Challenger body, but the nameplate kinda forces it to the 4-door.

[@rushmatic]

@@programmerm5907 agreed, the online renderings I’ve seen look really good as a 4 door. If I had the money I would do it in a heartbeat.

[@WineHouse33]

Never let a good story escape the marketing department

[@clockingmath]

Nice backstory. I wasn’t expecting that.

[@kevinvojta692]

My dead stock 2016 707 hp Hellcat ran 11.2's at 126 mph. And that was on very cold 36 deg morning. Into the 40 mph Wind gusts. And the engine running for 4 hours none stop. Because of the cold weather. My Redeye WB ran 10.5's at 135 mph. All the runs done with the 4 tires. Set at 32 psi, like i run on the street.

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

Just curious, shouldn’t the PSI be set higher since it’s cold? Either way, 11.2s is good especially under those gusts

[@austinfrazier7325]

MW can’t drive is well known. A 16 year old girl who just got her license could turn a better time.

[@kevinvojta692]

@@TheRealHungryJoe The factory says 32 psi. I run my most the time at 35 psi. I lowered them to. The 3 psi to factory specs. so i could see what it would do. I matched the 11.2 times by Dodge. But i beat their 125 mph time. By 1 mph at 126 mph. I am sure if the weather better, and warmer. And no too little wind. I could ran a 11.0 at 127-28.

[@sonsofliberty3081]

​@Kevin Vojta I doubt it. .2 in the quarter is = to losing 200lbs for the run. You may have chopped off a tenth.

[@blackice7408]

Imagine if it had heated up drag slicks in the back. I remember a '16 stock charger hellcat doing 10s with the slicks on

[@dabusiness429]

That's a damn shame I watched the special about this car about two years ago and the guy said he wouldn't sale his father's car I guess money talks but I wouldn't have sold it it would have stay in the family forever

[@terrancecooks5000]

This is correct! Smh..

[@spook5756]

Yep, I was surprised when I heard it was going on the auction block.

[@gavinvalentino1313]

Too bad about the syntax-and-punctuation thing making you seem so slow.

[@markurbancowboy]

Yeah especially when his dad said, "Don't you sell my car"!

[@Talisman18t]

Agreed. I think it's sad they are selling it. Must be really hurting for money.

[@bitemyshinnymetalass1569]

Some fool already posted a black ghost on craigslist in California for sale at a earth shattering $810,000 dollars. 😅

[@TheKiltedYaksman1]

Seems like a low trap speed for 807hp...

[@carlos64030]

Man, I love this car and those silver wheels are gorgeous! They look so much nicer than when they were painted black.

[@CRAPO2011]

These look better as they are more concave than the eaarlier black ones

[@wtwn]

Its a shame they’re not getting a refresh and are instead going away

[@tedschmitt178]

Yep, the environmental weenies are taking over.

[@ducktails1695]

The Challenger may come back, but not as a big HEMI V8. It would be on a modified version of the new STLA large platform with probably the twin turbo Hurricane V6 HO with around 500HP/500lbft of torque. Dodge hasn't said anything about the Challenger yet. Yes we know the current version is going away but they haven't said anything about a replacement. I have a feeling they're going to leave the Charger as the EV only model and the Challenger as the ICE model but again with the HO Hurricane TT V6....possibly a hybrid offered as well?

[@PatCurrie]

@@ducktails1695 Challenger is done, as 70% for Chargers will be 2 doors.

[@williamcampenni2566]

I’m so glad to have owned multiple hellcats both stick and automatic. I hope even better things are ahead. Gotta have hope and faith that man will continue to create awesome cars.

[@dnegel9546]

Nope this is it.

[@JamesJones-ot1lo]

Shout out to that officer for kicking ass and not writing tickets afterwards🗣

[@dronepilot260rc]

Exactly

[@johnnyforriester7325]

Fabricated story brah. It never happened

[@jonathantucker2728]

Motor Week With John Davis Is Legendary!!! Great Video 👏 ❤Be Blessed

[@Averagegamer673]

Dodge should give a black ghost to the kid who had the original r/t 426 hemi Challenger for free seeing the legacy his dad made in motor city

[@nzmonsterman]

No, they shouldn't. He made the story up about it being a street racer that terrorised the street. There's a video on it her on KZbin. It was all about $$$

[@roberthoyt7921]

Should appear in the final Fast and Furious movie.

[@jeff666p]

The vacuum cleaner will be in fast x supposing

[@starrdogchamp1]

Looks so much better without black wheels

[@Edison73100]

Finally somethinng based on a true legend.

[@THESLlCK]

they look stunning in person. Really just beautiful

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Finally , some aluminum/ chrome wheels , makes these cars pop

[@rickslick730]

Legendary brother 👍🏾 very nice

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

I had an early Hellcat, and I hope that they have tightened up the suspension. That car had more body roll than a 400-pound girl on a roller coaster...

[@lg740xx]

807 hp and traps 124 - it’s a heavyweight

[@dcrump]

Wow! The story is exactly what was needed 🎉

[@kevindavis5966]

I hope the original Black Ghost brings that family $1M+ at auction.

[@stegomon]

Needs a 6 speed manual with AWD. Than I will talk

[@boss12]

Sad to see it go.

[@andresguerin7162]

The 70s, time when even cops took part in street racing! The world has gone to the popper nowadays! 😢

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Great name 👍 Challenger ...sells itself

[@MrHighlyEvolved]

$100,000 for a Challenger?!? They're cool cars and all but...

[@jamessneed8789]

I feel the same way 😮

[@Pantera972]

Don't worry they'll sell out immediately. These are the last ones made before they go electric.

[@RealInternetStalker]

I wish I had heart to slide a car like that and stay in it.

[@jackhammer2671]

There's no way I would sell my late Fathers car especially with the story behind that 70 Challenger...I would actually buy one of these new ones to park alongside the original one...have a Red Eye being delivered in May in my favorite torch red color and will park it happily next to my 2019 manual Z06...these Challengers are the last of the true muscle cars left and we all know what's coming next just electric Blahhh!!!

[@terrellrobertson2258]

Amazing

[@fatoputso7375]

Maybe we'll see a decrease in car jackings as a result

[@thugsfunny7594]

Damn that "Black Ghost" is one beautiful beast

[@dennissmith7214]

The black ghost was a 4 speed manual, it would’ve been more of a tribute to put the 6 speed manual that’s in the regular hellcat in here since you can’t get a redeye one! 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ricardocorbie6803]

I wonder what Mr Qualls would say were he alive today at Dodge paying homage to his “ Baby “ ?? Rest In Peace. The Demon will go down as the king of Muscle Cars!! I’m a Shelby Man, n I begrudgingly make this statement!! Job well done Dodge Boys ❤️❤️❤️

[@terrellrobertson2258]

1984

[@GrahammdYT]

Bro, I would watch the hell out of this movie AND buy the DVD!

[@hockeymann88]

It's too bad they couldn't get the 6 speed manual into one of the last special editions. I'm not worried about a few 10ths of a second so I would appreciate the added fun of the stick.

[@fartdonkey8290]

This is what we get for not optioning those ugly wheels for the past 5 years, now they're a "special edition"

[@Lonelysoulloves]

This is just a dream for me man 😢 I will never ever ever be able to afford one of these and I am a Mopar lover, I have 2 Dodge chargers one is a 06 RT other 2012 charger pursuit but unfortunately two months after I got that car it got totaled 😞 I'm not allowed to have nothing nice, I love this car 😍 fun to watch 👍

[@terrellrobertson2258]

N 76th St

[@skillz1855]

Thank you John, I learned smthg new.

[@373axle]

ICE muscle cars are still going to be around in the used car market. Just because you can't get a certain car new that doesn't mean they won't be available.

[@HAL-dm1eh]

Older RWD sedans and pony cars are skyrocketing in value. The last non crossover/truck production cars will be the Mustang, and Ford has already ruined the design for 2024, so they're taking a step back and I only see a downward spiral for that too. And that makes sense to me, I was waiting for it to happen. They could only ride out the retro look for so long. I see it was a win, especially since I already own a Mustang and hope it only increases in value.

[@iamzeusandthisisthetruth4229]

Just makes my 18 TA 392, going 0-60 in 3.9 seconds… 12.4 in 1/4! However this is bOne Stock, with 888R’s! Get what you Love, don’t let Anyone try to make you feel Bad for what you Like!

[@frmula1fan51]

Beautiful car. That hood is on point.

[@dohc1067]

The best automotive marketing on steroids in years. We are the fans 😅and the cars are the stars.

[@Mike-dy8sj]

This cars chassis comes from a decades old Mercedes E class. Now that fiat owns dodge, they refused to let them develope a new chassis. So they just keep changing the color, and upping the hp, and bolting on parts. This car is more of a marketing success than anything else. With the mark ups getting near $100,000 it puts it in a completely different market. I could get a 911 turbo S for around the same price.

[@Cartier_specialist]

I would buy the Porsche if that's the case. The Porsche hold their value better and are more driver oriented.

[@CaptainCJ97]

1:40 that's awesome

[@Shadow_of_Yharnam]

I wish I could afford a Hellcat. I was only able to afford a Scat Pack Challenger (narrow body). That’ll have to do for me😂

[@lego4virgo]

Narrow bodies are fine and you can always get wider tires, if you need. Consider yourself lucky to have such an awesome ride!

[@Shadow_of_Yharnam]

@@lego4virgo thanks . I do love the Scat Pack. It’s a fun muscle car to drive.

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

There isn't a damn thing wrong with your Scatpack It's 90% of the fun for half the price.

[@Shadow_of_Yharnam]

@@mikeyfourbarrel8473 yup 💪💯 I’ve had it for 4 years now and each time I drive it I have a big smile on my face. Enough power for me 🐝

[@POPJack1717]

The fact it was a police officer who was the Black Ghost driver makes me believe the "undefeated black charger" in Arkansas is also a cop.

[@bennybop5387]

If history repeats itself, which it will all the chargers and challengers will b something worth keeping, same for clean Yukons/Tahoes.

[@Dunebashing88]

The og vlogger !

[@johnbehneman1546]

Thank you so much

[@LMBC6Brian]

Why are we track testing an 8 year old car with stickers on the roof?

[@dronepilot260rc]

I’d love to hear more about the Black ghost 😂

[@PatCurrie]

Jay Leno did a piece on his YT channel with the son and the plan with the car.

[@natelove187]

The end of the Chrysler Corporation🍷

[@kwadjookai8172]

Wow I never expected a charger to be almost the same price with the viper

[@pimphand00]

Mistake to discontinue the Chalenger. People still love them.

[@henrikkoukku2896]

What is top speed (km/h)?.

[@Doc1855]

Dodge, owned by FIAT

[@acropophia8857]

And?

[@vr4787]

Stellantis, FCA dissolved a few years back now.

[@mikeisaacs2314]

Street tires and RWD put wider and stickier tires it will run better times

[@mikeisaacs2314]

And Ferrari

[@pjcornell9691]

Dodge is now owned by the French! Peugeot/ Citroen is the current owner...

[@bigkev2613]

Do anyone know why the original Ghost is going on the auction block. Mr Godfrey told his son never sale the car at least that what was said on Documentary......😢

[@nzmonsterman]

It was all about getting top $ for the car when sold. The story was made up by his son. There is a KZbin video on it. The story of 'The Black Ghost' terrorising streets is just that, a story. Its a scam.

[@spencersmustache2844]

It's missing a pedal

[@sp4604]

never updated w a new platform since 2007. time to go

[@gordonanderson9709]

Wonder if the son of the original 70’ hemi Black Ghost works something out with Dodge to get a special edition new Black Ghost

[@Slowgroovin]

Muscle and pony cars have gotten far away from their history of being stripped down, affordable cars with high hp engines. Just a rich man's toy these days.

[@smiley6168]

How come Dodge didn't put anything on the outside to let you know what's a ghost? I mean some certain type of emblem on the hood the trunk something

[@melvinhunt6976]

I hope they file how to keep buildings these engines! In a short time the EV thing will be in the past and it will be back to good old Internal Combustion Engine’s!

[@daleliske9757]

It's sad that the son of the original owner of the Black Ghost has $$ signs in his eyes, vs owning a vintage car that his dad owned. He is still young, and could appreciate the car his dad ordered. But no.! Money has taken control instead. My dad has a 54 Chevrolet 210 sedan, he brought it back from Nebraska 20 years ago. He spent 3 years rebuilding it, kept the straight 6, 235 ci engine. Painted it himself, in a royal blue lacquer. Now at 89, yes he wishes he would have made more modern upgrades, engine, transmission, power steering, but, as he says now. It's too late. It's not too late dad, if this car is willed to me in your passing. I will make the changes you requested. Meanwhile, you have a son, with an iconic car. And the only thing this guy has on his mind , Is,. How much money can I get for the car that my dad dearly loved.! I have a 69 Chevelle. Have owned it for currently 39 years. Nothing special when I bought it. Made engine, transmission, ps, pb, changes. But it will be handed along to my son. It won't be worth no 6-7 figures money wise. But I'd like to think it would be worth the same, because it was my father's pride and joy.! And I would like to keep that tradition alive. Within the family.

[@TheTruth-ht7qm]

You do not know what situation the KId or Family is suffering. But you still took a guess and commented. Very immature...Life lesson. Focus on oneself and leave People business alone.....

[@daleliske9757]

@The Truth well, I wouldn't have made this comment if I didn't do a little research. The son started showing this car back in 2017, at the Chicago muscle car and Corvette show, then Several Detroit Autotama shows, all inclusive Dodge shows, etc. Now if your hurting for money, you're not going to trailer this car all over the show circut. It's been featured on Hagerty, local Detroit news stations during the Woodward Dream Cruise. Hot Rod channel, and other car channels. Dodge for 2023 has come out with a Black Ghost edition, but dealerships are commanding between $50,000 and $150,000 over sticker price. The original owner told his son before his passing, "Don't give the car away". So, with All the hype that car has developed and it's a 1of 22. Don't tell me that $ isn't the motivation here. After watching several videos of the son. He's clearly not a car guy. He even admitted in 2017, that he had no idea why the car was special. A 426 hemi 4 spd with a rare gator skin vynal top, 1 of 22. Come on. So, I'm immature. At least I did my homework before I posted. I'm sure the son is hoping for 3 bidders with deep pockets. However other collectors that have seen it, say it's rough for a survivor, $500,000 is what they think. Iconic as this car is with all the street racing stories, and it was your dad's car. Once it's sold. It's gone. Into a collectors garage, and you'll never see it again. Until he wants to make money off it.

[@TheTruth-ht7qm]

@@daleliske9757 I hear you....

[@ForTehNguyen]

a crime to put pzero all seasons on this. First thing to buy are better tires

[@morrisf3957]

They should make last call cars affordable. prices are way too much now.almost triple from the first hellcat was born.

[@johnandersonjjr]

Who’s idea was it to exchange the almighty hellcat logo for a conventional “challenger“script?I wouldn’t be too happy about that if I ordered one.

[@rickslick730]

Very nice

[@ricardolopezdevictoria1109]

Sad part is that chassis is indeed a Mercedes handy down and they never improved it.

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

They made lots of changes and improvements! But you're not totally wrong.

[@TBird100636]

That Mercedes S-Class/E-Class *"Hand me down" chassis didn't need much, if anything to improve it. It is a very solid and stable handling chassis. Granted, the first few years were plagued by poor quality parts, but after that they revised and improved said parts.

[@integragsr423]

I really wish they would’ve just put the 426 in there

[@dbc1dc]

No idea why Dodge chose a Black Ghost edition. Over say, a Kowalski edition?

[@fast02gt]

That thing needs a tire on it FACTORY. That holds it back more than anything l.

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

True! Unfortunately, they have traction problems even with sticky street tires. There's a limit to how much power a 4400lb car can put down through two tires I guess.

[@TheMegatron673]

they make it seem like shifting gears is a bad thing. 😂😂😂

[@masoudshaghaghi5744]

John Davis 👍

[@gus91340]

I would rather purchase a used 911 Turbo S

[@whalehands]

I wonder what the original Black Ghost will go for

[@jimbrow83]

That much power those track numbers are disappointing

[@texan176]

Sadly, all of them will be bought by people who will pay $100K over sticker to flip them at Barrett Jackson or similar. The second owner will make it a museum piece or hold as an investment to resell 5-20 years later for a substantial gain. Maybe 10% of them will ever get used as intended. Dodge should have gone in an entirely different direction by offering this drivetrain and brake/chassis without all of the fancy tech, bodywork, special edition, etc…and priced it within reach of the working man at below $55K and taken as many orders to build one by not pre-limiting production. Chrysler corp is the largest buyer of carbon credits from Tesla to make it possible to build these cars and meet the fleet fuel economy standards. The muscle cars going away is not because they can’t sell them but seems like the ability to buy credits is at jeopardy.

[@Gustavo_1212]

Nice car

[@kevinlopes8927]

I work at Walmart. So it’s not a challenge it’s an “impossible” to buy

[@dustdevil9614]

The back stripes look like a weekend warriors home made jobby. Sorry Chrysler

[@maureencora1]

I'm a Mustang GT Guy But I Take a Challenger Over a Camero Anyday. In That Order.

[@geehoon1985]

$100k+ is no big deal...but It's just Dodge..I never pay over $100k for just Dodge....

[@joejones6968]

A Kia EV6 totally totalled that P.O.S Dodge. Guy's, A Kia. Come on now. A Kia.

[@povertyspec9651]

My GT-R would crush this pile on the dragstrip or track.

[@civatateo4222]

I saw one of these marked up to 500k.

[@jbalogh01]

Hmmm. I thought these were coming with 1000hp.

[@JohnMachado24]

Tired of this outdated challenger design, I loved it the first time I saw it over a decade ago. Also, another high HP item that cannot get traction of any sort under normal road conditions....

[@kavoro8951]

Disappointed in Godfreys son for auctioning it off after what he said in front of 6.5 million people. What happened to "I became a car guy." What happened with Godfrey saying in the hospital "Don't give my fuckin' car away." What happened to the kid saying "That little army guy is GQ and these other two belong in the car too because then that's GQ, you dad, and me." What about when he said "My plans is to keep the car so it could go down to a third generation." What about the ending lines? "I think my dad would be proud, I think he would be smiling down on us. From cheek to cheek." I can understand if they have money problems and I feel sorry for them if they do. However, I would bet my house that there is someone out there rich enough and willing to help him just so he can keep the car in the family.

[@mike4fo]

His dad specifically told him “DONT SELL MY CAR” now it’s open for auction 🤦‍♂️. Hopefully it’s for a legit reason that he needs the money🤞

[@gucciblackbaby5867]

Isn’t the Challenger built in Canada? 😉 (ref: 5:16)

[@iQuattro1]

Yep

[@DarrinR.-pq8md]

Wheels aren't black. The white stripe was an after thought. Doesn't even follow the lines of the car.

[@mattsomeonewithansrt3948]

It’s much more than a hellcat Redeye Widebody last call Challenger. It’s got a couple extra stick on decals and badges big whoop. Nice car but come on don’t bullshit us all the black ghost has extra are some questionable cosmetic add-ons.

[@itsgottabechef]

Not sure why they decided not to include a manual as an option knowing the original was a manual 🙄

[@petertornabeni602]

Birble birble birble birble -