One of the World’s Fastest Roller Coasters
This is not just any roller coaster; the Furius Baco launches riders from 0 to 84 mph in just 3.5 seconds, delivering a high-speed thrill ride. Engineered strictly for speed, this coaster features a single massive loop in the Mediterrania area of PortAventura. With minimal elements that could slow it down, this ride maintains its exhilarating pace until the brakes finally slow it just before returning to the station.
- Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 8.5
- No inversions, but incredible speed and extreme positive g-forces. As one of the world’s fastest coasters, its velocity is among the most intense experiences around.
- Type of coaster: Hydraulic Launch and Wing Coaster
- Height and first drop: N/A
- Top speed: 84 mph
- Track length: 2789 feet
- Ride time: 0:55
- Minimum height restriction: 1.40m (55 inches)
- Maximum height restriction: 1.95m (6 ft. 5 inches)
Barrels of Fun
There are several launched coasters, yet none quite compare to the hill-less Furius Baco. The unique train design features seats positioned on the sides of the track, providing a thrilling experience as riders’ feet dangle freely. This arrangement is reminiscent of fourth-dimensional coasters but remains distinct with no spinning seats.
Adding to the experience are the whimsical wooden barrels positioned in the middle of the train, presumably representative of wine barrels, as “Baco” translates to Bacchus, the god of vine harvest. A quirky pre-show features an animatronic monkey performing antics, adding an unexpected charm to the ride before it launches into speed.
Wild and Disorienting
The launch experience is immensely powerful, with speeds reaching 84 mph almost instantaneously, pushing riders into their seats due to tremendous positive G-forces. Instead of navigating a traditional hill, like in other hydraulic launch coasters such as Kingda Ka, Furius Baco plunges into a shallow trench, enhancing the sensation of speed. The ride then transitions into a brief dark tunnel.
This extraordinary coaster banks leftward, executing an in-line twist, which acts as a corkscrew inversion. With no trim brakes to regulate speed, this twist is decidedly exhilarating. Once the train returns to an upright position, riders are treated to a view as it glides close to the picturesque port area of Mediterranea.
Ultimately, the ride concludes with a slight turn into the brake section and a return to the loading station. Although the official ride time states 55 seconds, accounting for the pre-show, the actual thrilling experience lasts approximately 30 seconds. Nevertheless, this brief rush is undeniably exhilarating!
For thrill-seekers who appreciate speed, the Furius Baco is akin to the finest wine crafted by the coaster gods.
