New B&M MegaCoaster Headed for PortAventura

To add to what is already shaping up to be quite a year for new coasters, Spain's PortAventura has announced the addition of a large Bolliger and Mabillard mega-coaster for 2012.

The ride, which for now is remaining officially unnamed by the park, will be the cornerstone of a new development, located next PortAventura's existing Dragon Khan coaster.  In all, the park will spend 25 million Euros on the project, or over $37 million.

The ride will be themed to mountain climbing, with the ride creating a new range for the park with its numerous hills.  When completed, the coaster will be the tallest in Europe, according to the PortAventura.

The release for the new coaster mentions both tunnels and interaction with a lake, so perhaps a splash area will be found on it.  The ride will stand an impressive 249 feet tall, but the use of the park's terrain will allow the first drop to reach 256 feet.  Trains will speed along at a top speed of 83 miles per hour.

While a layout of the ride has no been released, we can see in the concept art above that the coaster will have blue track and gray supports.  Press descriptions peg the ride as having 5 camelback hills, the smallest of which is still 7 stories tall.

This is the 6th new Bolliger and Mabillard ride that has been announced for the 2012 season.  Check out some photos from the announcement ceremony from PA Fans.