While I’ve written about Thorpe Park’s LC12 as it was named, I haven’t re-visited the project since it received an official name and more information has emerged. This excellent (You)Report from ‘across the pond’ breaks down the ride in greater detail.
Thorpe Park has released a trailer advertising its new 2012 coaster. Re-named ‘The Swarm’ after its teaser concept code name ‘LC12′, it will be the second B&M wing rider coaster, following Raptor at sister park Gardaland in Italy.
‘The Swarm’ looks to be far bigger and more impressive than 
its predecessor, featuring a first of its kind diving loop drop i.e the train inverts after cresting the lift hill and then lets gravity take over. Other featured elements will be a vertical loop, two corkscrews and an inclined loop, bringing the coaster’s total of inversions to five.
However the main feature of this coaster is its wingrider design, meaning riders are suspended on either side of the track but not over it, leaving nothing but air beneath them. The seats will not rotate, similar to the Intamin launch coaster Furius Baco in Port Aventura, Spain. The train’s layout will be used to create many near misses, just like on Raptor.
The coaster will top out at 127ft, Thorpe Park’s 2nd tallest, and has a proposed total cost of £20m. This is by far the park’s largest investment ever, largely due to its extensive theming, which will depict an apocalyptic surrounding. This links in with its launch in the year of the rapture, 2012. It seems that Thorpe Park are really attempting to go all out with theming, with an entire crashed Boeing
747 along with helicopters and sunken, dilapidated buildings comprising it. The reason for such extensive theming is that it will make up for lack of theming on the park’s other coasters. I myself am greatly looking forward to this new wing rider coaster.
Supporting Link: TheSwarm.co.uk
This (You)Report was submitted by Bill Robertson
What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Thorpe Park’s Swarm? Vote in the poll below and leave a comment.
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September 15, 2011 at 22:14
Looks great. Already planning my visit to Thorpe next year
September 16, 2011 at 10:22
For once we are getting a coaster which looks to be the best of its kind in the world.
September 17, 2011 at 08:10
tell me about it
September 18, 2011 at 18:07
The UK already has the best B&M inverted in the world, you know
September 19, 2011 at 04:52
Actually Batman: the Ride at Six flags Great America was the first by two years, Nemesis might be the first custom invert though.
September 20, 2011 at 02:20
We're talking about the best, if you pay attention. Who cares about firsts? You want the best
September 20, 2011 at 11:58
nemesis is top notch but when since then have we actually had a world class ride open in the UK, Megafobia in 96 and then what after that?
Thorpe Park is leading the way for the UK right now and its good to see they are really trying to add quality to their collection and hopefully it will continue, all we need now is for someone to snap up a mega lite and a new woodie pre fab or normal (we havent had one since megafobia)
September 18, 2011 at 17:30
I want one. I wonder if the eyes will actually glow.
October 4, 2011 at 10:31
thorpe park are most probs getting a woodie- they're definitely getting a new coaster in 2015
October 8, 2011 at 16:17
Finally! Being a British man, I waited for this to be announced (since the 'LC12' rumor spread)! i only have one question. why was the name changed from LC12 to The Swarm?
November 23, 2011 at 13:42
The name LC12 was a code name for the early process of planning