The world's tallest and fastest looping roller coaster - Full Throttle - is set to launch at the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in Valencia, California, US in 2013.

Full Throttle will be the park's 18th coaster and will launch riders from zero to 70mph (113kph) around the world record 160ft loop.

Riders will also be dropped into a special effects tunnel where they are "rocket launched" over the loop.

The coaster, designed by Premier Rides, will be located near the front of the park in a newly themed five-acre section where guests will experience fast-paced imagery, sound and lights.

Bonnie Rabjohn, Six Flags Magic Mountain park president, said: "As we mark our 42nd anniversary of operation, we're ready to take Southern California by storm, yet again, with the most comprehensive collection of thrilling roller coasters anywhere in the world."

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world's largest regional theme park company with over $1bn (777m euro, £625m) in revenue and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

In July Six Flags launched the Superman Ultimate Flight roller coaster at its Discovery Kingdom theme park in California, US.