Universal Studios Hollywood has officially debuted Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, marking the theme park’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster.
Track Layout and Engineering Challenges
The sprawling steel layout weaves directly over and under the park’s multi-level escalators connecting the Upper Lot to the Lower Lot, creating a dynamic visual spectacle for parkgoers on the ground. Riders endure four distinct launches, gravitational forces reaching up to 3.6 G, an inverted dive loop, a twisted pretzel loop, and a roll-back stall.
Vehicle Design and Franchise Immersion
Unlike standard coasters where passenger cars remain fixed forward, the vehicles on Hollywood Drift pivot continuously throughout the route. Universal designed each four-car train to mirror iconic automobiles from the cinematic series, including Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger, Han’s Mazda RX-7, alongside a Nissan Skyline GT-R and a Toyota Supra associated with Brian O’Conner. Before boarding, guests walk through an immersive brick-warehouse queue featuring a custom mural by artist Tristan Eaton that recreates a street-racing scene from the original film.
Future Expansion and Multi-Park Rollout
The California installation establishes a new benchmark for Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill-ride portfolio. Building on this momentum, Universal announced plans to bring a similar spinning Fast & Furious roller coaster system to Universal Studios Florida, where it is slated to replace the existing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit attraction. Construction timelines and specific opening dates for the Florida iteration remain subject to final engineering and operational schedules.
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