Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the opening date for its new Fast & Furious roller coaster.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the theme park's first high‑speed outdoor coaster, will open to guests on Wednesday, 16 September.
The fastest coaster in Universal's lineup, reaching speeds of up to 72 mph, Hollywood Drift has been undergoing technical rehearsals and previews for the past month.
Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on 16 September, marking its official debutUniversal
Based on Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious film franchise, the attraction features state-of-the-art ride technology and a unique dual-launch split-ride track.
The 4,100-foot aerial track will take riders over and under sections of the Starway escalator, as well as through an inverted dive loop, a twisted pretzel loop and an inverted stall, among other elements.
The ride will also offer panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, the Universal Studios movie studio and the theme park.
Riders will travel in one of four Fast Saga vehicles, the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R or Toyota Supra, each based on cars driven by characters in the Fast & Furious films.
Each vehicle can rotate independently through 360 degrees and features its own engine and sound effects to simulate a high-speed street race.
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In what Universal describes as a "technological first", part of the Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift track will run through a transparent section of the queue, giving guests a glimpse of the coaster as they wait to ride.
Last month, Universal Hollywood announced plans to install two additional sound barriers around its new Fast & Furious coaster in response to noise complaints.
In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Universal Studios Hollywood said: "Community feedback has been an important part of our testing process and in response to that feedback, we are implementing additional sound-reduction measures to further lessen sound levels in the adjacent neighbourhood."
Universal Orlando will also debut Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift in 2027.
