Xcelerator is a steel launched roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States.

Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened in 2002 as the company's first hydraulically-launched coaster and cost $13 million to construct.

Following the early demise of Windjammer Surf Racers, a dueling roller coaster that briefly operated from 1997 to 2000, Xcelerator was soon announced as its replacement.

It launches to a maximum speed of 82 mph (132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds and reaches a height of 205 feet (62 m), and has a short twister section that leads into the Brake run.

Following the demise of the short-lived Windjammer Surf Racers, a dueling roller coaster plagued with issues surrounding its design and operation,[1] Knott's Berry Farm announced its replacement in December 2001.

[3][5] Intamin pioneered the hydraulic technology used on Xcelerator, which would later be built on a larger scale on future record-breaking rides, including Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.

This was due to three incidents where people died after falling out of the restraints, including Superman – Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England.

[13] It closed near the end of October 2021 for a new coat of paint; the ride now has the colors red, gray, orange, and yellow.

During one of the ride's rehabs, the color scheme was corrected by repainting the red train with orange flames added to the front and sides.

Xcelerator's hydraulic motor system has the mechanical capability of accelerating vehicles to a speed of 117 mph (188 km/h) or more, although less power is needed for the train to crest the hill.

The catch car passes over a set of magnetic brakes, and the motor must work harder to attain proper launch speed if the train is not fully loaded with passengers.

From the time the launch begins, the train has 8.25 seconds to pass over a proximity switch, called a hall effect sensor, near the bottom of the first drop which clears the starting block.

[citation needed] In rare cases, a train will not attain enough speed to make it over the initial 205-foot (62 m) top hat element.