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 is like, who is allowed to ride, and how it compares with the other big coasters. It also explains how to plan a visit.
Quick Answer
Red Force stands 367 feet (112 meters) tall and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). It gets there from a standstill in about 5 seconds, using a magnetic (LSM) launch. It is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe, and it has no 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, using 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, takes one to two minutes
- Inversions: 0
- Type: steel launched “giga” coaster (a coaster over 300 ft tall) by Intamin
- Trains: two trains of three cars, with 12 riders per train, for 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). These are magnets along the track that push the train forward with no chains or cables. Its Ferrari-branded sibling Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi uses a hydraulic launch instead. Red Force also uses supercapacitors to store energy. This helps it deliver a huge burst of power without putting a big spike of demand on the local grid.
The train goes from 0 to 112 mph (180 km/h) in about five seconds. There is no lift hill and no slow build-up. The whole ride is one violent burst of acceleration followed by a vertical climb.
What the Ride Layout Is Like
After the launch, the track turns straight up and the train climbs a 90-degree top hat tower, twisting as it goes. Riders crest 112 meters above the park. They get a moment of weightlessness at the top, with views over the Costa Daurada toward the Mediterranean.
The train then drops back down the other side, again with a 90-degree twist. It runs back parallel to the launch track in the opposite direction, then goes through the magnetic brake run and over a final airtime hill before returning to the station.
The theming follows Formula 1. The station is styled like a Ferrari pit area, the trains look like single-seater race cars, and a grandstand gives spectators a view. Ferrari test driver Marc Gené has compared the acceleration to being in an F1 car, according to PortAventura’s own blog.
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 coaster in Europe has surpassed it. Worldwide it is still among the tallest and fastest roller coasters, and it is one of only a few to pass both the 100 mph and 350-foot marks.
It is not the tallest or fastest in the world, though. Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point in the US is 420 ft tall and faster. The record-holding Kingda Ka in New Jersey was demolished in early 2025, which moved Red Force up the rankings of coasters currently operating. Records change as new rides open, so check a current coaster database before quoting a world ranking.
Who Can Ride Red Force?
Riders must be between 1.40 m and 1.95 m tall. The ride is not suitable for people with heart, back or neck problems, or for pregnant guests. Follow the health warnings posted at the entrance. The ride offers a photo option and Express access add-ons, and the park provides 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 the launch and the top hat.
Go early. Queues tend to build through the day. Strong coastal wind can also cause delays or temporary closures, so ride first if the forecast is breezy.
Try different rows. Front and back seats feel different. The front gives an unobstructed view up the tower, while the back gives a different sense of the launch and the top hat.
Secure your belongings. Use the lockers or leave bags with a non-rider, since loose items are not allowed on the ride.
Planning Your Visit
Red Force is inside Ferrari Land, which is a gated area of PortAventura World. Check that your ticket includes Ferrari Land, since access is not always part of a basic park ticket. Multi-day tickets, hotel packages and Express (skip-the-line) options are all sold, and prices vary by date and demand. The resort normally publishes different opening hours through the year, with longer days in peak season, and individual attractions can close for maintenance or weather.
For current hours, ticket options and prices, use the official PortAventura World website, which is the best 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 roller coaster FAQs
How tall is Red Force?
Red Force is 367 feet (112 meters) tall. That makes it the tallest roller coaster in Europe.
How fast does Red Force go?
Red Force reaches 112 mph (180 km/h). It accelerates 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 is a launch coaster built around a 90-degree top hat tower, with 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 whole 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), according to the official PortAventura World site.
Who made Red Force and when did it open?
Intamin built Red Force. It opened on April 7, 2017, together with Ferrari Land.
Is Red Force the tallest roller coaster in the world?
No. It is the tallest in Europe, but Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point is taller at 420 ft. Red Force is still among the world’s tallest and fastest coasters.
How is Red Force different from Formula Rossa?
Both are Ferrari-themed launch coasters. Red Force uses a magnetic LSM launch and is taller. Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi uses a hydraulic launch.
Where is Red Force?
It is in Ferrari Land, part of PortAventura World in Salou, Tarragona, Spain, near the Costa Daurada.
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