PortaVentura has unveiled the latest development in construction of Europe’s first Ferrari Land theme park, with the continent’s tallest rollercoaster now in its testing phase.

Construction on the park is also entering its final phase, with main building work already completed and the park’s larger scale attractions, such as the circuit and the simulator area, also nearing completion.

Former Formula 1 driver and current Ferrari test driver Marc Gené, who is an ambassador for the park, said at a special event celebrating the landmark that Ferrari Land offered the chance to discover “ the legendary spirit of Ferrari,” adding that attractions like the vertical accelerator will allow visitors to experience first-hand some of the sensations of driving a Formula 1 racing car.

The PortaVentura addition has already announced an opening date of 7 April 2017. The 60,000sq m (646,000sq ft) Ferrari Land will be centred around its vertical accelerator rollercoaster, which will become the tallest in Europe at 112m (367.5ft), exceeding PortAventura’s own Shambhala for the impressive record.

Global design practice PGAV – in collaboration with Ferrari and PortAventura – is behind the design of Ferrari Land. Ferrari has played an active role in the development, overseeing the €100m (£86m, US$112m) project, ensuring finer details such as using the exact shade of red – a Ferrari trademark – for the rollercoaster. Theming will be very strong throughout the park, blending traditional Italian culture with the Ferrari brand and its history.

Ferrari’s theme park plans go beyond PortaVentura, with the brand saying last year when it filed for its IPO that is was looking at opening “one theme park in each of the main geographic areas where we operate, including North America and Asia.”