# Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride set to open September 16 at Universal Studios Hollywood *Universal Studios Hollywood announced the September 16 opening of its first high-speed outdoor coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, featuring 72 mph speeds, 4,100 ft of track and four iconic ride vehicles.* **Section:** Community **Tags:** Community, Feel-good-vibes, Entertainment, Universal-studios-hollywood, Fast-furious, Roller-coaster, Los-angeles **Reading time:** 3 min After months of fan anticipation and a Super Bowl teaser promising a “Summer 2026” debut, Universal Studios Hollywood has locked in a September 16 opening for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the park’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster. The attraction will rocket guests up to 72 mph along a 4,100-foot aerial track, delivering 360-degree vehicle rotation and forces of up to 3.6 Gs, according to [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/08/fast-furious-ride-opening-date-universal-studios-hollywood-1237063491/). The coaster, set on the Upper Lot inside a red-brick garage-like structure, will feature four ride vehicles modeled after Dom Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, a Mazda RX-7, a Nissan Skyline GT-R and Brian O’Conner’s Toyota Supra, each styled after the films’ signature cars. An original mural by artist Tristan Eaton will anchor the arrival platform, depicting the final street-racing scene from the 2001 original film. ## Ride specifications and theming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift spans 4,100 feet of elaborate track that winds over the park’s multi-level escalator and terraced hillside, creating a dramatic aerial experience. The coaster’s state-of-the-art ride system enables each vehicle to spin a full 360 degrees, giving riders the sensation of drifting cars while reaching a top speed of 72 mph, making it the fastest coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio as noted by [NBCUniversal.com](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/fast-furious-hollywood-drift-coaster). The attraction’s theming immerses guests in a warehouse-garage environment filled with recreated props from the Fast Saga, including a Car Cannon from Fast & Furious 6, a Roll Cage and Winch from Fast 5, and a NOS system replica. QR codes embedded in the queue link to Universal’s Backlot Club for behind-the-scenes content, extending the narrative beyond the ride itself. Four iconic ride vehicles, Dom’s Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Brian’s Toyota Supra, seat guests in individually themed cabins that rotate independently, allowing each car to face the direction of the next scream-filled plunge. The vehicles are positioned to turn away from the neighboring Toluca Lake community during peak scream moments, a design detail highlighted in the park’s technical fact sheet. Anchoring the entrance is a massive mural by Tristan Eaton that captures the aerial Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra racing a speeding train, a visual homage to the franchise’s inaugural street-racing climax. The mural, along with the surrounding prop displays, creates a photo-worthy backdrop that reinforces the ride’s cinematic roots. ## At a Glance - **Opening Date:** September 16, 2026 - **Top Speed:** 72 mph - **Track Length:** 4,100 ft - **Ride Vehicles:** Dom’s Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Brian’s Toyota Supra - **Sound Mitigation:** Transparent barriers and Acoustiblok wall installed - **Location:** Upper Lot, Universal Studios Hollywood ## Community response and sound mitigation Residents of the nearby Toluca Lake neighborhood voiced concerns over the roar of test runs, describing nonstop screaming that carried across the San Fernando Valley. In response, Universal installed transparent sound-reduction barriers along portions of the track, a measure first reported by Deadline and later expanded with additional Acoustiblok walls longer than two football fields, as detailed by [KNBC](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/universal-studios-fast-furious-roller-coaster-noise/3929157/). The park’s communications confirmed that the coaster complies with local sound-ordinance requirements, and that the new barriers are designed to “encase the sound at the source.” Pea-gravel packed into the steel track further dampens vibrations, while the ride’s orientation can be adjusted to direct scream-generated noise away from homes. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger praised the ongoing dialogue, noting that Universal’s willingness to add extra sound-reduction measures reflects a commitment to neighborly relations. The park’s spokesperson emphasized that community feedback shaped the final mitigation strategy, ensuring that the thrill of the coaster does not compromise the quality of life for nearby residents. Despite the noise concerns, the park remains confident that the attraction will be “worth the wait,” promising a seamless blend of high-octane excitement and thoughtful engineering that respects both guests and the surrounding community. ## Curator's Note Los Angeles thrives on attractions that draw global visitors while balancing neighborhood livability. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift adds a record-breaking thrill to Universal’s lineup, boosting tourism revenue and reinforcing the city’s reputation as an entertainment hub. At the same time, the park’s proactive sound-reduction steps illustrate how major projects can address resident concerns, a model for future developments in our densely packed urban landscape. --- Curated by VIBES News Desk · Published 2026-08-31 Source: https://www.curationsla.com/vibes/2026-08-31-fast-furious-hollywood-drift-ride-set-to-open Cite as: CurationsLA, "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride set to open September 16 at Universal Studios Hollywood", https://www.curationsla.com/vibes/2026-08-31-fast-furious-hollywood-drift-ride-set-to-open (published 2026-08-31). License: CC-BY-SA-4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Structured manifest: https://www.curationsla.com/vibes/2026-08-31-fast-furious-hollywood-drift-ride-set-to-open/manifest.json