Europes first B&M Speedcoaster

The Silverstar, Europa Park's new rollercoaster sets some new standards in European coaster history. It's Europe's first “speed coaster” with a height of 73 meters, that is in the year 2002 also Europe's highest rollercoaster.

Swiss coaster designer Bolliger & Mabillard were chosen, to design Europa Park's new coaster, and soon it was clear, that it would become a “speed coaster” in the same style, like "Nitro" or "Raging Bull".

" Silver Star" is such a large amd massive construction, that there was no space to build it in the existing park area. The solution was to lay it over the parking area, but with the entrance and station inside the Park.

design and theme

The themeing features influences from motor sport. Especially the station is designed in the motor sport design, featuring a lot of cars from Mercedes Benz, like the 2001 F1 racing car, the DTM sports car and the F1 safety car as well.

Mercedes Benz is also doing the sponsorship, and that's also the reason for the coaster's name "Silverstar".

But lets go back to the facts. In the station you can choose to board the train on the car you want. For every car of the train, there is a separate waiting area. And you are able to choose, which one you like. Then you enter the car and close the lapbar. The coaster features no over shoulder restraints, only lapbars. The seat is very comfortable, and the train seems to be very massive and of ultimate quality.

the ride

The Train leaves the station and enters the chainlift. From here you get transported upwards on one of the steepest accent, I have ever been to. You watch directly in the sky.

But after reaching the top (highest point of the coasters on 73 m above the ground), the train changes direction and heads back for the ground, this time fast and even faster.

The first drop is great, but not shocking; In fact it seems very pleasant. The experience you get on this coaster is directly there, where Europa Park wants to have it. Well it is wild, but it’s still accessible for almost all members of the family.

Watching this impressive looking coaster from the ground is great, but riding it is much better. The coaster is smooth and gets perfectly over the hills, drops and curves. The height is what makes the difference, but on Silver Star, more height means not also more roughness. The thrill surrounds in a great manner, but the coaster is not treating you in the hardest way possible.

It's great fun, it's a cool and very pleasant experience and it's almost for everyone.