Universal Studios Hollywood is gearing up to launch its first outdoor, high-speed rollercoaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, on Wednesday 16 September.

Billed as the fastest ride across all Universal Destinations and Experiences, the attraction promises to bring a new level of adrenaline to the California theme park.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the $7 billion Fast & Furious film franchise, the new rollercoaster aims to capture the high-speed street racing and spectacular stunts that fans have come to love.

Record-Breaking Thrills and Design

Located on the Upper Lot within an expansive brick building resembling a classic parking garage, the new ride boasts some seriously impressive statistics. A unique dual-launching, split-ride track propels guests through four spectacular launches, an inverted dive loop, a twisted pretzel loop, and an inverted stall.

Reaching top speeds of 72 mph and forces up to 3.6 Gs, the 4,100 feet of track weaves intricately over and under the park's famous Starway escalator. By cleverly using the natural hillside terrain, Universal Creative has managed to build an imposing structural marvel that offers breathtaking views of the San Fernando Valley and the working movie studio. Impressively, the sprawling track also utilises sound-reduction technology to minimise noise across the property.

Drifting Vehicles and Authentic Audio

Thrill-seekers will be harnessed into one of four iconic Fast Saga vehicles: the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, or the Toyota Supra. Each car is equipped with a fully independent audio system pumping out authentic engine sounds tailored to that specific vehicle.

What makes the experience truly unique is that each vehicle is fully rotational and independently programmed to drift 360 degrees as it hurtles along the track. This means guests will get a completely different ride experience depending on which car they are seated in.

An Immersive Queue Experience

The queue itself is designed to keep guests highly entertained. In a technological first for the park, a transparent encased section of the queue will allow the track to race right past waiting visitors.

Fans of the franchise will appreciate the recreated film props on display, which include a vault truck from Fast 5, Letty Ortiz's motorcycle from F9, and a rolling bomb from Fast X. By scanning QR codes linked to Universal's Backlot Club, all park guests can unlock behind-the-scenes details about the various displays.

Furthermore, the queue and arrival platforms feature large-scale murals by world-renowned artist Tristan Eaton. These striking art pieces pay tribute to the entire franchise and depict the iconic street race finale from the original 2001 film.

Important Rider Information

Because of the intense twists and turns, strict safety measures are in place. All guests will be required to store loose items, including mobile phones, in complimentary lockers located within the queue area. Metal detectors will be in use just before the ride platform to ensure absolutely nothing loose is brought onto the rollercoaster.

For theme park fans and adrenaline junkies across the United States, the 16th of September cannot come quickly enough.