Red Force is the coaster you spot from the motorway long before you reach the gates of PortAventura World. Rising 367 feet above Ferrari Land in Salou, Spain, this scarlet Intamin launch coaster has been Europe’s tallest and fastest roller coaster since it opened on April 7, 2017.
This guide covers what people most often want to know: how tall and fast Red Force is, how the launch works, what the ride layout feels like, who is allowed to ride, how it stacks up against Formula Rossa and other giants, and how to plan a visit to Ferrari Land.
Quick Answer
Red Force stands 367 feet (112 meters) tall and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h), launched from a standstill in about five seconds by magnetic (LSM) motors. It is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe and has zero inversions.
Red Force Key Stats
Height: 367 ft (112 m). Top speed: 112 mph (180 km/h). Launch: 0–112 mph in about 5 seconds via linear synchronous motors (LSM). Track length: 2,890 ft (880 m). Ride time: roughly 39 seconds of track time; the park says the full experience, from boarding to braking, runs one to two minutes.
Inversions: 0. Type: steel launched giga coaster (any coaster over 300 ft) built by Intamin. Trains: two trains of three cars, 12 riders per train, for a capacity of roughly 1,200 riders per hour. Height requirement: 1.40 m to 1.95 m (about 4 ft 7 in to 6 ft 5 in). Opened: April 7, 2017. Park: Ferrari Land, PortAventura World, Salou, Spain.
How Red Force’s Launch Works
Red Force accelerates with linear synchronous motors (LSMs) — magnets along the track that push the train forward with no chains, cables, or lift hill. Supercapacitors store the energy needed for the burst of acceleration so the launch doesn’t draw a huge spike from the local power grid.
The train goes from 0 to 112 mph (180 km/h) in about five seconds. There’s no slow build-up: the whole ride opens with one violent burst of acceleration straight into a vertical climb. Red Force’s Ferrari-branded sibling, Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi, uses a hydraulic launch instead of LSMs — see the comparison below.
What the Ride Layout Is Like
After the launch, the track turns straight up into a 90-degree top hat tower, twisting as it climbs. Riders crest 112 meters above the park and get a moment of weightlessness at the top, with views over the Costa Daurada toward the Mediterranean.
The train drops back down the other side with another 90-degree twist, runs back parallel to the launch track in the opposite direction, passes through the magnetic brake run, clears a final airtime hill, and returns to the station. The theming follows Formula 1 throughout: the station is styled like a Ferrari pit area, the trains resemble single-seater race cars, and a grandstand lets spectators watch the launch.
Red Force vs. Formula Rossa: How the Two Ferrari Coasters Compare
Red Force and Formula Rossa (at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi) are both Ferrari-themed Intamin launch coasters with no inversions, but they’re built differently. Formula Rossa is the faster of the two by a wide margin, launching to around 149 mph using a hydraulic launch system, versus Red Force’s 112 mph LSM launch — though Red Force is the taller ride of the pair.
In practice this makes Formula Rossa the more extreme straight-line speed experience (riders there wear goggles against wind force), while Red Force leans more on height and the vertical top hat for its thrill. If you’ve ridden one, the other will feel like a different kind of intense rather than a repeat.
Is Red Force the Tallest and Fastest Coaster in Europe?
Yes. Red Force has held both titles on the continent since it opened in 2017, and no European coaster has topped it since. Its ranking in the world picture has shifted recently: Kingda Ka in New Jersey, long the world’s tallest coaster, closed in late 2024 and was demolished in February 2025, which briefly made Red Force the tallest operating roller coaster on earth.
That didn’t last long — Cedar Point’s rebuilt Top Thrill 2 in Ohio reopened in 2025 at 420 feet and took back the world’s-tallest title, though it never claimed world’s-fastest, since Formula Rossa’s roughly 149 mph hydraulic launch stayed ahead of Top Thrill 2’s 120 mph top speed. Then, on December 31, 2025, Falcon’s Flight opened at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia at 534.8 feet and 155 mph, taking over both the world’s-tallest and world’s-fastest titles. So today Red Force is Europe’s record-holder but not the world’s: it’s still one of only a handful of coasters anywhere to clear both the 100 mph and 350-foot marks. Rankings shift as parks open and close rides, so treat any ‘world’s tallest/fastest’ claim as a snapshot rather than a permanent fact.
Who Can Ride Red Force?
Riders must be between 1.40 m and 1.95 m tall. The ride isn’t suitable for guests with heart, back, or neck problems, or for pregnant guests — follow the health warnings posted at the entrance. A photo option and Express (skip-the-line) add-ons are available, and the park offers access arrangements for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility.
Riding Tips
Ride more than once — the ride is short, so a second lap helps you take in both the launch and the top hat. Go early, since queues build through the day and strong coastal wind can also force delays or temporary closures, so ride first if the forecast looks breezy.
Try different rows: the front gives an unobstructed view up the tower, while the back gives a different sense of the launch and the drop. Secure your belongings in a locker or with a non-rider, since loose items aren’t allowed on board.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tickets and Getting In
Red Force is inside Ferrari Land, a gated area within PortAventura World, so check that your ticket specifically includes Ferrari Land — it isn’t always bundled with a basic park ticket. The resort sells single-park tickets, combined multi-park tickets, multi-day tickets, hotel packages, and Express (skip-the-line) add-ons, with prices that vary by date and season.
Opening hours follow a seasonal pattern typical of Spanish theme parks: longer hours and daily operation in the peak spring-through-autumn season, and reduced days or closures in the quieter winter months, plus the usual chance of weather- or maintenance-related closures for any single attraction. For current opening dates, hours, and ticket prices, use the official PortAventura World site, which is the authoritative source for up-to-date information.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Rapids, log flumes and splash zones without the rice-bag aftermath. The touchscreen still works through the window, so you can still take photos.
Red Force height, speed and ride stats FAQs
How tall is Red Force?
Red Force is 367 feet (112 meters) tall, making it the tallest roller coaster in Europe.
How fast does Red Force go?
Red Force reaches 112 mph (180 km/h), accelerating from 0 to top speed in about five seconds using a magnetic LSM launch.
Does Red Force have any inversions?
No. Red Force has zero inversions. It’s a launch coaster built around a 90-degree top hat tower, delivering airtime rather than loops.
How long is the Red Force ride?
The track is 880 meters (2,890 ft) long and takes about 39 seconds to ride. PortAventura says the full experience, from boarding to braking, takes one to two minutes.
What is the height requirement for Red Force?
Riders must be at least 1.40 m (about 4 ft 7 in) and no taller than 1.95 m (about 6 ft 5 in), per the official PortAventura World height policy.
Is Red Force faster than Formula Rossa?
No. Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is faster, launching to around 149 mph with a hydraulic system, versus Red Force’s 112 mph LSM launch. Red Force is the taller of the two rides.
Is Red Force the tallest roller coaster in the world?
Not currently. Red Force is Europe’s tallest coaster, but Falcon’s Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia — 534.8 feet tall and 155 mph, opened December 31, 2025 — now holds the world’s-tallest and world’s-fastest titles.
Do I need a separate ticket for Ferrari Land to ride Red Force?
Often yes. Ferrari Land is a gated section of PortAventura World, and access isn’t always included in a basic park ticket, so check your ticket type before you go.
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