Launch control on a road car? Bit naff or best thing ever...
Discussion
More and more cars seem to come equipped with launch control these days. Sure they can give some impressive zero to sixty times. And especially for drivers who may struggle otherwise. And I'm sure many of these launch controls do fancy things like put the gearbox in a special mode and up the power output.
But honestly, how many cars, even performance ones really will get taken to some private property where you can actually use it?
For road use it has to be one of the most pointless features on a modern car.
Imagine a scenario....
a fictional traffic light grand prix. Chap next to you in his old car with no LC, lights change and he's away, while you're still sat there pushing buttons and the like.
Am I the only one that would maybe like to see comparison vids, such as the PH TV ones (and others) where maybe they don't use the LC? You know, make it a bit more realistic for those that won't be renting a private runway.
But honestly, how many cars, even performance ones really will get taken to some private property where you can actually use it?
For road use it has to be one of the most pointless features on a modern car.
Imagine a scenario....
a fictional traffic light grand prix. Chap next to you in his old car with no LC, lights change and he's away, while you're still sat there pushing buttons and the like.
Am I the only one that would maybe like to see comparison vids, such as the PH TV ones (and others) where maybe they don't use the LC? You know, make it a bit more realistic for those that won't be renting a private runway.
I agree. It's not something I can ever imagine using, and seems to be no more representative of usable road capability than VW's NOx cheat device. I can only assume that the reason it is fitted by manufacturers to road cars is to ensure that road testers get the best acceleration times possible for their data tables.
I don't mind manufacturers fitting them, I suppose: its a free(ish) country and people can buy whatever toys they want.
But I wouldn't select it as an option new, and if I were buying second hand and could choose between similar models, all else equal, where one example had LC and one didn't, I'd buy the one that didn't. I'd just have to assume that the one where the owner had specified LC had been hammered.
I don't mind manufacturers fitting them, I suppose: its a free(ish) country and people can buy whatever toys they want.
But I wouldn't select it as an option new, and if I were buying second hand and could choose between similar models, all else equal, where one example had LC and one didn't, I'd buy the one that didn't. I'd just have to assume that the one where the owner had specified LC had been hammered.
Not really a "must-have" feature is it - even a smart car has a "sports start" (very loosely termed) - just mash the accelerator past the kickdown point whilst stopped and it revs the engine a bit before it drops the clutch and holds onto the gears to the limiter before changing up.
It makes it feel quite fast even if it's around 10s to 60.
Not sure I could be bothered if it involved pressing buttons and selecting modes.
On the forums people say 'it will wear your clutch out!' but it's not like I do it a lot... err...
It makes it feel quite fast even if it's around 10s to 60.
Not sure I could be bothered if it involved pressing buttons and selecting modes.
On the forums people say 'it will wear your clutch out!' but it's not like I do it a lot... err...
Think of it like this. You know those videos of young women that do energetic and/or acrobatic bedroom moves? Well, your wife has the ability to do all of that. It's built in as standard. But, in every day operation she doesn't, she's just in comfort mode. However, every once in a while it seems like a great bit of fun and frivolity, so she activates dynamic mode and sits with her left foot on the brake while revving it up. Then you're away!
k. It's dead easy to implement, given ubiquitous fly-by-wire throttle and TC etc.Unnecessary, I think. I never make wheel-spinning getaways at the lights but 9 times out of 10 if I accelerate to just a mere 4000rpm in an automatic saloon with my foot half way down, I'll leave the other person behind because they're busy putting their phone down and sticking their fingers up at the guy behind who has just hooted at him for being a dick.
Unless you're doing a RWYB I can't see the point
Even on a trackday you normally roll onto the track from the pits or access lane rather than do a clutch-frying standing start and if you're going racing I'd hope your ability would be such that you can get a good start without relying on it
Even on a trackday you normally roll onto the track from the pits or access lane rather than do a clutch-frying standing start and if you're going racing I'd hope your ability would be such that you can get a good start without relying on it
jamieduff1981 said:
zed4 said:
My girlfriend’s Golf GTI DSG has launch control (mapped by R-Tech). Used it a couple of times to see what it’s like. It tends to just wheelspin unless it’s really warm and dry!
Surely you could just use the accelerator pedal to achieve the same thing?SHutchinson said:
Think of it like this. You know those videos of young women that do energetic and/or acrobatic bedroom moves? Well, your wife has the ability to do all of that. It's built in as standard. But, in every day operation she doesn't, she's just in comfort mode. However, every once in a while it seems like a great bit of fun and frivolity, so she activates dynamic mode and sits with her left foot on the brake while revving it up. Then you're away!
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