Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard is building a dramatic new dive coaster for SeaWorld San Diego, due to open in summer 2020.

The Emperor coaster, named after the world's largest penguin, will reach speeds of more than 60mph, but its key feature is its 90-degree drop of more than 140 feet (42.7 metres) – reflecting, though not coming close to, the 1,800ft (550m) dives that the penguins themselves are capable of.

According to US media, the theme park intends to donate a portion of proceeds from the sales of penguin merchandise to Penguins International, to support its education and research efforts.

SeaWorld says it will be the tallest and fastest dive coaster on the west coast of the US, while SeaWorld San Diego president Marilyn Hannes is quoted in the San Diego Union Tribune claiming that the Emperor coaster would be unlike any other coaster experience in California.

"Emperor will both thrill our coaster enthusiasts and also serve as an attraction that educates guests about the importance of animal and conservation issues," she said.

The ride is designed to climb 153ft (47m) with the cars then suspended at a 45-degree angle at the crown of the ride, before plunging down the 143ft (43.6m) vertical drop. It features a barrel roll and a sweeping Immelmann loop, named after Max Immelmann, a famed First World War German pilot. Each of the ride's cars holds 18 riders in three, six-person rows.

The San Diego Union Tribune report states that, despite the coaster far exceeding San Diego’s 30-foot coastal height restriction, the California Coastal Commission granted SeaWorld permission to move forward with the project earlier this year, as SeaWorld’s master plan allows for a limited number of exemptions. The Emperor qualified as one of those exceptions as did the Electric Eel coaster, which debuted last year, the paper said.