Nigloland Unveils Details of New “Supersonic 1887” Coaster

(eap) After speculation had been circulating for some time about the next new roller coaster at Nigloland, the French park has now announced “Supersonic 1887”, the largest investment in its history to date. Around 18 million euros are being invested in a new, custom-designed launch shuttle coaster from Mack Rides, with which the park aims to strengthen its position in the European amusement park market.

The new roller coaster of the Stryker Coaster type, which will feature two spike elements, is set to reach a height of 47 metres and a top speed of 91 km/h. The track length will be 355 metres; however, thanks to the shuttle system with forward and backward sections, guests will travel a total of 770 metres – slightly more than twice the actual track length. Three launch sections are planned, meaning a total of six acceleration sequences, as well as three inversions and six airtime moments. Two trains with 16 seats each will be used, including eight so-called “wing seats”, where passengers’ feet dangle freely in the air. Guests will be able to ride from a minimum height of 130 cm.

The new attraction is being built on an area of around 8,500 square metres, with around 50 percent of the track due to run over water. The attraction’s theme will be inspired by the great World Expositions of the 19^th century. Embedded in an immersive world centred around the “Exposition Universelle de 1887”, the story focuses on the fictional character “Émile Delaroche”, a visionary engineer who is said to have developed a steam-powered machine for high speeds. Several existing attractions in the new themed area are to be transformed into national pavilions.

“Nigloland will celebrate its 40^th anniversary next year. To mark this new milestone, we wanted to create a major attraction worthy of our ambitions. Supersonic is a project designed by our creative and technical teams, which we have entrusted to one of the leading manufacturers, known for the quality of its work and its many innovations. It is the most ambitious project Nigloland has ever undertaken,” said Rodolphe Gélis, President and Director of the park. ■