Stealth at Thorpe Park: 0–80 mph in 2.3 Seconds
Europe's Fastest Acceleration
Stealth at Thorpe Park (Chertsey, UK) is a hydraulic-launch "rocket coaster" built by Intamin (opened 2006). Its signature statistic:
- Top Speed: 80 mph (129 km/h) — 2nd fastest in UK (after The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 85 mph).
- Acceleration: 0–80 mph in 2.3 seconds — fastest acceleration of any roller coaster in Europe.
- Height: 205 ft (62.5 m) top hat element.
- Track Length: 1,312 ft (400 m) — short, intense.
- Duration: ~30 seconds.
- G-Force: ~4.7G launch, +4.5G at top hat apex.
The Launch System
Hydraulic launch (like Intamin's Top Thrill Dragster, Kingda Ka). Nitrogen-pressurized accumulators drive winch motors → catch car engages train → explosive release. 10,000+ hp. Distinctive "whoosh" sound.
Ride Experience
- Load in station (retro 1950s jet theme).
- Roll forward to launch track.
- Countdown lights, audio: "Arms down, head back, hold on!"
- Launch → vertical climb → twist over top hat → airtime hill → brake run.
- Pure adrenaline, no inversions.
Context
- UK's first hydraulic launch coaster.
- Sister to Rita (Alton Towers), Kanonen (Liseberg — removed), Furius Baco (PortAventura).
- Reliability issues early years; improved with maintenance.
- Height restriction: 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in).
Comparison
| Coaster | Park | Top Speed | 0–Max Time | Type |
|---|
| The Big One | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 85 mph | ~3.5 s (lift hill) | Hypercoaster (lift) |
| Stealth | Thorpe Park | 80 mph | 2.3 s | Hydraulic launch |
| Icon | The O2 (London) | 53 mph | 2.5 s | LSM launch |
Bottom Line
Stealth doesn't do "long" or "twisty" — it does violent speed. 2.3 seconds to 80 mph. That's the headline.
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