Intamin Amusement Rides of Switzerland has always been a manufacturer that’s known for pushing the boundaries of theme park technology, creating attractions that offer safe and unique thrills for the whole family. Overnight this well-known manufacturer has released concept videos for four new coaster models, but ‘new’ may not exactly be the correct word for them. So, let’s dive in to Intamin’s most recently released coaster models!
Hot Racer
A rollercoaster train running on a single rail is a completely new concept, or it was, until Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction did exactly that in 2018, with Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The difference with Intamin’s take on the Raptor track is the introduction of a racing element- yes, we are getting a duelling raptor!
The Intamin Hot Racer will be available in three variations, one being Infinity, a compact thrillride offering two twin tracks that duel and race beside each other. The concept video shows the two tracks as red and blue, but it’s likely the coaster’s colour scheme will vary based on the park and theme.
The second variation is Overdrive, a high-speed racing experience featuring a double launch. Overdrive will also introduce a new inversion: the Wallride Dive, however not much information on this has been released. The racing aspect doesn’t seem to be as crucial to this version as it is to the other two, focusing more on speed, but it will still hopefully still be a big part of the overall ride experience.
Last but by no means least is Autodrome, with a groundbreaking 75 seconds of duelling between the two trains on 1019 metres of track. Autodrome will also feature the two launches utilised on Overdrive, and riders will get not one but two laps of this racing-centric duelling coaster!
We’ve all been waiting for an RMC to come to one of the UK’s theme parks, with a Raptor being one of the most realistic options. Perhaps we’ll get something similar by Intamin at either Blackpool Pleasure Beach or Thorpe Park- both have worked with Intamin before so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. The compact nature of Intamin’s Hot Racer means both parks could possibly find enough space to build one of these. Another possibility will be that the UK’s (or even the world’s!) first Hot Racer will make it’s debut at Alton Towers as SW9!
Ultra Splash
The next concept on this list seems to combine two existing coaster models, one of these being the Intamin Impulse, and the other, strangely, being the Mack Rides Water Coaster! From what can be seen in the concept video it seems that the station will sit in the centre of the track, just like an Impulse, but as riders fall back down from the top they’ll get seriously wet on one end of the ride, hence the name ‘Ultra Splash’.
The Intamin Ultra Splash is being advertised as having a high capacity due to utilising just one station, and a unique track system will be used (though it looks quite similar to the Hot Racer track!)
There are a few different parks I could see this going to, one of them being Thorpe Park as a replacement for Loggers Leap, though this is probably quite unlikely. Another possibility would be Energylandia in Poland, as they’ve been aiming towards the thrill market more and more these past few years, with additions such as Hyperion in 2018 and Zadra a year later.
Vertical Launch/LSM
While the Intamin Vertical Launch coaster doesn’t appear as too similar to other models at first glance, it still has its not-so-new elements and aspects. The Vertical Launch Coaster is said to feature three separate launches (LSM!), one of these being inverted, and is set to be the most compact triple launch coaster model in the world. Riders will also navigate what is being called a zig-zag loop, though whether this is an actual new inversion or just a more unique name for something that already exists hasn’t been confirmed as of yet.
There’s a possibility the zig-zag loop will be inspired by Maurer Sonhe’s non-inverting loop, found on coasters such as Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket at Universal Studios Florida. If that is true however, Intamin will have to undertake the challenge of making the loop as un-Maurer Sonhe as possible, as the non-inverting loop is actually patented by its manufacturer.
It didn’t take too long for enthusiasts to spot the similarities between this concept and Premier Rides’ Sky Rocket II model. Both are compact, launched experiences with tracks twisting and turning and duelling. The Sky Rocket II has existed for ten years and is still going strong, with the latest installation set to open some time this year (hopefully!) as Ice Breaker at Seaworld Orlando, so it only makes sense that Intamin would want to jump in on the success of this model.
As for potential installations, well, the first Vertical Launch Coasters could go to any park in need of a new coaster yet working with a smaller footprint than is ideal, but price may be a factor that prevents many parks from getting one of these. Intamin coasters are generally a lot more expensive than those from other manufacturers, yet if they really want to compete with Premier Rides there’s a possibility they might drop the price, to make the Vertical Launch more appealing to parks with a more limited budget.
Giga Splash
What is arguably the largest (well, by height at least) announcement on this list is the new Giga Splash model, which seems to be aimed at parks with scenic surroundings. The ride experience begins with a vertical lift hill utilising theatre-like seating, offering panoramic views of the park or area the coaster is based in, and while Intamin is stating that this will increase capacity, the slow-ish ascent to the drop seems more likely to decrease the throughput rather than increase it.
Once riders have reached the top, they’ll fall down an 87 degree drop of approximately 131ft, or 40m (yes, I’m disappointed it’s not an actual giga too!) . At the bottom will be what Intamin are calling an “interactive water channel” and crest an airtime hill sticking out of the water. As the train falls down the drop a giant splash is said to be created, soaking not only the riders but also those looking on from the bridge above.
I can definitely see the Intamin Giga Splash debuting somewhere like Cedar Point, a park with breathtaking views, a reasonable amount of space that could be expanded by removing some less popular attractions, and a constant need to break records with its revolutionary and record-destroying rides. That said, the park may wait until several other parks have built one first, to ensure the Giga Splash model is reliable and popular with riders.
But are Intamin really ripping off other manufactures? We don’t think so!
As soon as these new concepts were released, many enthusiasts (myself included!) were quick to jump on the idea that Intamin are blatantly ripping off Premier, Mack and several other manufacturers. But, looking back at theme park history, a lot of our favourite coaster models wouldn’t have been created without the manufacturer taking an already existing concept and putting their unique take on it.
B&M didn’t invent the suspended coaster, Arrow technically did that, they just made it their interpretation and the inverted coaster was born. Innovation, not just among amusement rides but across all industries, couldn’t happen without existing products to build upon and improve, and that’s essentially what Intamin are doing with their four new models… they’ve just made it slightly more obvious than likely intended.
These coasters may not be the most original concepts around, but they are still brand-new coaster models that really do look like they’ll offer a great ride, and I think its safe to say we’ll be able to see some of these rollercoasters at our favourite parks in the next 5-10 years!
So which of these new Intamin coasters are you most excited for? What parks can you see them going to first? Let me know in the comments below!
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