In Rust (Germany),
However, I was warned before departure… “You have to have a strong stomach” and “perhaps don’t do it several times, especially after the meal” had repeated Michael Mack, one of the associate directors of Europa -Park. Nothing to scare me, especially with an almost empty stomach. No, the two small aperitif canapes swallowed in order to digest the two hours of speeches do not count. Come on, between us “Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac”!
Well almost since on this inauguration day, several hundred of us came to test the new rollercoaster of the famous German amusement park located 50 km from Strasbourg. Guests, influencers, German, French and foreign media but also the winners of a competition. Thanks to their golden ticketthe latter are entitled to the real “first round”, two days before the opening to the public this Friday, April 26.
“Do you mind if we do it together?” », says a colleague, not very reassured, just before going into the queue. No worries: I’ve already survived the other main rollercoasters of the place, so… And the brown rails visible from the outside don’t worry me. Here, no dizzying slope like at the terrible “Silver Star” and no wooden structure dear to the “Wodan”.
But the characteristics of the “Voltron” still give you a cold sweat: 90 km/h maximum speed, seven inversions, 2.2 seconds of weightlessness at a height of 32.5 meters or even a propulsion presented as “the steepest in the world with an inclination of 105°… All, as always at Europa-Park, presented in a neat universe.
Here, Croatia serves as the setting with a new district inspired by the town of Hvar. Nikola Tesla, the Croatian inventor of alternating current, is at the heart of the production. Hence, perhaps, the use of “Volt” in “Voltron”, “Nevera” being the flagship model of the Croatian car manufacturer specializing in electric cars, Rimac.
But no more details, now it’s time to try it out. Here we are with my colleague, waiting for our turn in a factory atmosphere. Soft lighting, metallic soundtrack, the pressure slowly builds. Until going up a staircase and discovering a train, made up of four rows of four armchairs each. Europa-Park announces that it can accommodate “1,600 people per hour” and that seems credible given the speed at which we are installed. Second row.
“Wait, let’s go back”
My neighbor, happy to be wedged between two people, left me in an outdoor space. “We feel quite supported,” he reassures himself while I ask him if he has hung his shoes correctly. It’s still time to be smart… but not for long! First shocks, the train moves us up and down. First swear words, not last ones.
Suddenly, it went straight with an upside down loop! It now turns left, right, spins, never stopping. In the front row, a courageous man timidly raises his arms. Not me. After about 45 seconds we are now stopped on a platform. It’s already over ? “Wait, we’re going to go back,” my neighbor whispers to me… “Are you sure? It was good, that was enough eh! » I barely have time to answer him.
The train has already resumed its momentum in reverse to better move forward. For a sequence similar to the previous one but on other rails. Or twists and turns in all directions, always at high speed The 2.2 seconds of weightlessness? I admit that I didn’t feel them as the attraction leaves little room for reflection. The approximately 2’30 ride is very intense and reminiscent of the “Blue Fire”, the other propulsion roller coaster in the park.
The arrival is almost a relief. Around me, the other testers applaud, visibly delighted. I had a good time too, although I’m now slightly turned around. Yes, “You have to have a strong stomach” to sit in a seat on the “Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac”. But it’s worth it…