Fans of the Fast & Furious franchise know the cars are more than transportation—they’re characters. Universal Studios Hollywood leaned into that idea this week with the reveal of the ride vehicle designs for its upcoming roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.

The attraction will feature four iconic cars from the film series. Each vehicle is modeled after a fan-favorite ride from the movies, bringing a level of authenticity that longtime fans will instantly recognize.

Four Cars, Four Icons of the Franchise

The lineup of vehicles pulls directly from the automotive DNA of the Fast & Furious universe.

Leading the pack is Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger, the muscle car that has become synonymous with the franchise’s street-racing roots. Joining it are three Japanese performance legends: the Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and Toyota Supra—cars that helped define some of the series’ most memorable racing moments.

For fans, the reveal is more than a cosmetic detail. Each vehicle is instantly recognizable from the films and reinforces the idea that riders are stepping directly into the Fast & Furious world.

It’s a design philosophy that has become increasingly common in modern theme park attractions: when intellectual property drives the story, the details fans recognize matter just as much as the ride system itself.

Designed to Simulate Drifting at High Speed

While the cars may look like movie icons, they’re actually part of a cutting-edge coaster system.

Hollywood Drift will feature rotating ride vehicles designed to simulate the sensation of drifting through high-speed turns—something the Fast & Furious franchise is known for. The spinning motion will allow riders to face different directions as the coaster navigates its track, creating a dynamic experience that mimics the sideways momentum of real drifting cars.

The attraction is expected to reach speeds of around 70 mph and stretch across a large section of the park’s hillside terrain.

When it opens, the coaster will be the first major high-speed outdoor coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Bringing Car Culture Into the Ride Experience

For a franchise built on car culture, the decision to highlight the vehicles themselves makes perfect sense.

From the Charger’s raw muscle to the sleek performance reputation of the Skyline and Supra, the cars represent different eras and personalities within the Fast & Furious universe. By placing those vehicles front and center in the ride design, Universal ensures the experience feels immediately connected to the films before the ride even begins.

It’s also a reminder of how theme park attractions continue evolving. Increasingly, rides aren’t just inspired by movies—they aim to place guests directly inside the world fans already know.

A Major Addition for Universal Studios Hollywood

Hollywood Drift is scheduled to open in 2026 and represents one of the biggest new additions to Universal Studios Hollywood in years.

While the park is best known for immersive indoor attractions like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Jurassic World – The Ride, this new coaster signals a shift toward larger outdoor thrill experiences.

For fans of the Fast & Furious franchise—and for thrill seekers looking for something new in Southern California—the reveal of the attraction’s iconic cars is the latest sign that Hollywood Drift is gearing up to become one of the park’s most talked-about rides.

And if the cars are any indication, riders won’t just be boarding a coaster.

They’ll be stepping into the driver’s seat of one of movie history’s most famous street-racing franchises.

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(Photos Universal Studios Hollywood)