What Riding Universal Hollywood's New 72 MPH Fast & Furious Coaster Is Like

Universal Studios Hollywood invited us to test drive the new Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster, and it was wild to join the family. For fans of the franchise and roller coaster enthusiasts, here is a breakdown of what to expect.

The total ride runs about two minutes, which is actually pretty long for a ride like this at Universal Hollywood.

Four Cars, Four Different Drift Personalities

There are four total cars, each with its own uniquely designed drifting action specific to the personality of the driver from the franchise. Car one is Dom's 1970 Dodge Charger. Car two is Han's Mazda RX7. Car three is Brian's blue Nissan Skyline GTR. Car four is Brian's orange Toyota Supra.

Each vehicle has independent onboard audio, so you hear the engine sound unique to the car you are riding in. Since each car has its own different rotation at different parts of the ride, you can have a fully different experience each time you ride it.

Riding the Skyline GT-R First, Then Han's RX7

We first rode it in Brian's Nissan Skyline GT-R, which had a pretty wild and unpredictable drift. We then rode a second time in Han's Mazda RX7, which had a smoother ride but seemed to go faster at points.

The top speed you can reach in these cars is 72 mph, which is insane. Apparently the smoothest car is car one, Dom's Charger, while based on our footage the wildest, driftiest one is Brian's Supra in the back.

Going Upside Down and Jess Half Fainting

You do go upside down at least three times on this ride. Jess half fainted every time that happened.

The verdict afterward: "I'm going to be back on this family heist again. Jess, maybe not."

Built on the Upper Lot, Launched by Gravity

If you have been to Universal Hollywood, you know the park is built onto the side of the Hollywood Hills with an upper lot and a lower lot reached by a steep escalator ride. Hollywood Drift is on the upper lot, and it is able to launch just with natural gravity and a little push.

Then it totally surprises you halfway through with a random acceleration that feels like you are coming out of a drift and the rubber hits the pavement. This is Universal Hollywood's first open air coaster, and since it is within a mile of our office and many of our homes, it is pretty awesome to have a ride this cool in our backyards. We are going to be back here all the time.

Neighbors Complained About Noise, So Universal Added Shields

There were apparently some issues with locals in the Studio City and Toluca Lake neighborhoods complaining about the noise. Universal has been really great about inviting all these nearby residents to try the ride.

The ride was smartly designed with shields at the scariest loops, so locals are not really going to hear any noise louder than typical freeway traffic, the Hollywood Bowl fireworks, or, as we joked, people being murdered in Fryman Canyon.