The latest roller coaster at Europa Park is called Voltron Nevera and is located in the brand new and unfortunately not yet fully completed themed area Croatia. In terms of type, it is a Stryker coaster, which is basically a further development of the already well-known Big Dipper. However, this Mack product offers a longer train and is even more flexible in its design, meaning that the roller coaster can, among other things, travel both forwards and backwards, which was not yet possible on the original model.
Overall, Voltron Nevera scores high on features. Once the train is loaded, the shoulder restraints automatically lower. A quick check and you’re off to the first highlight. But first the car is lifted up and shaken a little at the same time as the first show scene. A nice effect, if a bit tame. Shortly after, the actual start of the coaster follows and we shoot up a steep incline with a bang. We are now pulled with force into the first overhead element, which is very similar to a humpty dump lift on a Maurer X-Car Coaster. The following drop leads directly into a roll – a wonderful moment. After a speed bump the ride goes up an Immelmann. Immediately after the change in direction we enter another very similar element, but this time with a beautifully initiated banked turn at the top. In the valley we find the second launch area, which is actually a separate block area where the cars can be brought to a safe stop; when they come to a stop the cars rock back and forth a bit to gain enough momentum to continue. With a lot of speed we then go through a stall, where we are weightless and upside down for a few seconds. After an airtime hill, the ride continues upwards, changing direction several times. A sideways dip then leads us into a dive loop, after which we are guided quite hard into the block brake. A large turntable awaits, which doubles as a siding switch. This is well designed, but does not add any narrative depth to the ride, which splits the ride in two.
After a 180° turn, the second part of the ride begins directly with a backwards launch into an overhanging spike. We are then catapulted to our top speed with momentum and immediately ride up a tophat. A bend then leads us to another airtime hill. An interesting airtime hill tilted to one side then releases us parallel to the stall, which we cross in a wonderfully intense double-up. After another block brake, we are pulled smoothly into another roll. This leads us straight into a steep turn past the buildings visible from the themed area. Lined with ruins, the ride then leads into an Immelmann turn, which releases us directly into the final inversion of the ride. After another airtime hill, we reach the braking section of the roller coaster and are gently slowed down to walking speed.
Voltron Nivera is a world-class rollercoaster up to the stall, after which it unfortunately falls into a very repetitive pattern of airtime hills and corkscrews, which is briefly interrupted in the middle of the ride. You have to put your sidings somewhere if there is no room near the station, but the placement leads to an unnecessary splitting of the ride in two and a fairly linear ride to and from the turnout. Voltron Nevera scores particularly well with its compact design, especially at the beginning and end of the track.
Even though I personally find other roller coasters at Europa Park more exciting than Voltron Nevera, it has turned out to be a very nice roller coaster. The ride is fun and impresses with a really great track layout, especially in the first third. The roller coaster is definitely fun and that’s all that matters.
Pictures Europa Park
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