French family theme park Nigloland has unveiled details for the biggest investment since it opened. Scheduled to debut in 2027 to mark the park's 40th anniversary, Supersonic 1887 is a custom-built shuttle roller coaster developed in partnership with the acclaimed German manufacturer Mack Rides.
With a budget of 18 million euros, this project highlights Nigloland's ongoing ambition to grow as a major European theme park destination. Development on the attraction began back in 2022, with Nigloland's internal creative and technical teams designing the original concept and custom styling the trains themselves.
Impressive Engineering and Record-Breaking Thrills
Supersonic 1887 will use a shuttle layout, meaning the train travels both forwards and backwards during the ride. While the physical steel track layout spans 355 metres, this multi-directional sequence will double the total distance travelled to 770 metres.
Riders will experience a total of six launches distributed across three separate electric launch zones. The coaster reaches a maximum height of 47 metres, featuring two vertical spikes, and achieves a top speed of 91 km/h.
The custom layout features three inversions, turning passengers upside down six times throughout the ride. This includes a classic vertical loop and a world-first signature maneuver that is being called the "Supersonic Spin", which is based on the Double Immelmann. The ride also delivers plenty of airtime across six distinct weightless phases, exposing passengers to vertical forces ranging from -1.6 G up to +4.1 G.
Custom Trains and an Immersive Historical Story
The custom-designed trains feature an exclusive front vehicle called the "loco car". Each of the two 16-seat trains includes eight specialized floorless "wing seats", where riders can experience the track with their feet dangling completely in the open air. To accommodate these unique train dimensions, the park has modified its station infrastructure, including a heavy-duty rotating transfer platform to switch the trains.
Beyond its technical stats, the attraction is tied to a rich historical story set within the 1887 World's Fair (Exposition Universelle). The new themed area immerses visitors in the tale of Émile Delaroche, a visionary engineer and graduate of the École des Mines. Inspired by the early steam research of Denis Papin, Delaroche invents a rapid-launch steam vehicle capable of reaching supersonic speeds. Despite a volatile testing phase that causes explosions in his workshop, the inventor decides to showcase his unpredictable prototypes within the French Pavilion at the 1887 Exposition organized at Nigloland.
A Massive Footprint with Local Roots
The addition of Supersonic 1887 will transform Nigloland's landscape, covering a total area of 8,500 square metres, with the station building alone taking up a ground footprint of 850 square metres.
With an expected construction timeline of 600 days, engineering teams face a significant geographical challenge: about half of the coaster's circuit is positioned directly over water and across the islands of the park's Mississippi area. The initial construction phase hit a major milestone during the winter of 2025/2026, when 1,200 cubic metres of concrete were poured to secure the foundations.
In alignment with Nigloland's commitment to supporting the local economy, the park has hired numerous regional businesses from the Aube department to complete the project. Key contributors include L'Atelier d'Orient for architecture, Augustin & Colas for earthworks, CRN for structural masonry, and the 31A engineering office alongside Socotec for regulatory oversight.
https://www.themeparks-eu.com/news/nigloland-announces-supersonic-1887-a-new-18-million-roller-coaster-in-2027#sigProId1200c74ded
Technical Specifications at a Glance
- Investment Budget: €18 Million
- Maximum Speed: 91 km/h
- Maximum Height: 47 metres (including 2 vertical spikes)
- Total Journey Distance: 770 metres round-trip (355-metre physical track)
- Propulsion: 6 launch sequences across 3 electric launch zones
- Inversions: 3 physical inversions (6 upside-down experiences including the "Supersonic Spin")
- Capacity: 2 trains of 16 seats, featuring 8 floorless "wing seats"
- Height Requirement: Minimum 1.30 metres
- Track Designer: Frédéric Pastuszak
About Nigloland
Opened in 1987 by Philippe Gélis and his brother, Nigloland is located within the protected natural environment of the Orient Forest in the Aube department, Champagne region, situated under 150 kilometres from Paris. Voted the Best French Amusement Park in the category for destinations welcoming under one million guests, it hosts around 750,000 visitors per year. The 40-hectare park features 44 attractions and shows, eight themed restaurants, and two themed hotels: the four-star Hôtel des Pirates and the recently opened Hôtel Cabaïana.
