Two B&M Hyper Coasters Go Head-to-Head in the First Edition of Roller Coaster Showdown
Bolliger & Mabillard’s critically acclaimed hyper coasters are tall, airtime-packed, modern thrill rides. This week, I’ll be pitting Busch Gardens Europe’s Apollo’s Chariot against Six Flags Great Adventure’s Nitro.
Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
-Nitro boasts a taller first drop (215′). It’s the 9th largest America.
-The fourth hill is a hammerhead turn more than 100′ in the air. (Seen here.)
-Nitro has an S-curve and a tight upward helix. Nitro has more of a flying in the air feeling” than Apollo’s “closer to the ground” layout.
Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens Europe
-Apollo’s Chariot’s lift hill is only 170′ tall, but it offers a 210′ drop to the surface of the Rhine River.
-Apollo’s third drop features a swooping decent resulting in the train skimming the ground. Great for those riding on the left side of the train.
-AC is packed with airtime, especially on the series of bunny hills on the trip back to the station.
Edge: The edge goes to Apollo’s Chariot for its relentless amount of airtime on pretty much every hill. Not only are riders treated to an insane number of drops, but they also experience airtime (being lifted out of your seat).
Which coaster would you pick in this week’s Coaster Showdown? Do you have suggestions for next week’s edition? Leave a comment below.
November 25, 2011 at 18:18
I pick nitro because of all the uniqueness of the ride ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 23, 2012 at 11:25
I didn't post this either.
From now on on I am going to change my name to player 118462.
January 23, 2012 at 11:26
I'd pick Nitro, but I have been on it more, so I'll have to get back to BG to ride AC.
April 4, 2012 at 07:42
Apollo is great but not even close to the intensity of Nitro. I feel the airtime is much longer and stronger on Nitro. Each of the big humps pins you out of the seat for over 3 seconds. The 3 largest humps are insanely scary especially the one that turns at the top. It feels like the train is going to keep going straight and fly off into oblivion! I also think the smaller humps at the end of nitro have much stronger airtime. Although that sneaky last drop on Apollo is great! And yes the Hammerhead turn around on nitro is way better than the helix on Apollo.
June 25, 2012 at 14:48
Nitro is way better. Apollo is probably the the B&M mega coaster with the least amount of intensity. I'd say It's horrible. I would change the edge if I were you, Nitro's theme is better than a historical theme, and if you say Nitro doesn't have airtime, you didn't ride the coaster. Enough said.
June 29, 2012 at 20:13
Nitro also keeps getting the golden ticket for being one of the best steel coasters on the planet. Apollos Chariot is unknown to lots of people.
January 4, 2013 at 20:44
I'd be interested to see Montu go against Alpengeist. My vote would be for Alpengeist. My top 5 favorite looping inverted coasters would be
1. Alpengeist
2. Montu
3. Talon
4. De Javu
5. Raptor