Launch control on a road car? Bit naff or best thing ever...

[RenesisEvo]

It's not naff, but it's no more than a gimmick, a fun feature that gives the marketing bods yet another thing to talk about in the brochure. Having said that, launch control in a 991 Turbo S is something to be experienced at least once; the first time is so shocking you don't even breathe. But there's almost nowhere on the public road you could justify doing it.

I also once tried this in an E63 AMG S - and it does take a while to set up, and the number of times I got 'race start not available' was frustrating. Get it right, and it's a very rapid way to get to 60, albeit rather drama-free. And still of no real use on the road. I can't say I've ever had a proper 'traffic light grand prix'; the times someone has looked up for it I've never obliged, I value my tyres and clutch more than impressing some dolt I'll hopefully never meet again.

[Ozzie Osmond]

RenesisEvo said:

But there's almost nowhere on the public road you could justify doing it.

The concept of "justified" use of this essential feature on the road is an interesting one.

Somewhat similarly, one wonders where prospective Mustang owners are going to justify use their line lock feature for burnouts. Chances are: your local supermarket car park or estate.

I should think the combination of launch control and line lock features would get chavs out of their Scoobies and into a Detroit Dustbin pretty promptly!

[TheArchitect]

Never owned a car with LC however I still think this was impressive. 50 Launches in a 2014 911 Turbo in a row! So im not sure theyre always the car killer some think. That said, would you try this with your own car?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5DRCTW-Q7o

[nitrodave]

Race logic do a great launch control setup which is also a quality traction control.

Back when I had a 200sx these were very popular and work very well. They just run off the abs sensors and tap into the ecu.

The launch control is a bit of a gimmick and their main purpose is the traction control which is very customisable and effective.

[s m]

nitrodave said:

Race logic do a great launch control setup which is also a quality traction control.

Back when I had a 200sx these were very popular and work very well. They just run off the abs sensors and tap into the ecu.

The launch control is a bit of a gimmick and their main purpose is the traction control which is very customisable and effective.

There was a good article on it in CCC mag some years back - I'll have a look

[Spannerski]

Engine running, left foot hovering over the biting point, right foot touching the throttle, hands on the wheel, eyes fixed just passed the traffic lights. Green.
How I remember launch Control. Much more fun as each start was the never the same.

[MaxA]

On second thoughts, we had Launch Control on a car once, many moons ago. It was a rent-a-wreck mid-80s US spec Ford Escort from Flagstaff Arizona, with an engine so small and an aircon conditioner so large, that in order for one to be able to lunge past the dithering old groaner in a 1970s Cadillac in front, the co-driver was required to depress the aircon button - primarily in order to allow the driver access to a new engine map with just enough extra horses at the redline to perform a swift and safe overtaking manoevre. As you might imagine that glorious little square button with what was left of a snowflake on it become fondly known as ‘launch control’.

[s m]

MaxA said:

On second thoughts, we had Launch Control on a car once, many moons ago. It was a rent-a-wreck mid-80s US spec Ford Escort from Flagstaff Arizona, with an engine so small and an aircon conditioner so large, that in order for one to be able to lunge past the dithering old groaner in a 1970s Cadillac in front, the co-driver was required to depress the aircon button - primarily in order to allow the driver access to a new engine map with just enough extra horses at the redline to perform a swift and safe overtaking manoevre. As you might imagine that glorious little square button with what was left of a snowflake on it become fondly known as ‘launch control’.

Switching the aircon off in the old V6 XR4x4s used to feel a bit like that

[Dale487]

RenesisEvo said:

It's not naff, but it's no more than a gimmick, a fun feature that gives the marketing bods yet another thing to talk about in the brochure. Having said that, launch control in a 991 Turbo S is something to be experienced at least once; the first time is so shocking you don't even breathe. But there's almost nowhere on the public road you could justify doing it.

I also once tried this in an E63 AMG S - and it does take a while to set up, and the number of times I got 'race start not available' was frustrating. Get it right, and it's a very rapid way to get to 60, albeit rather drama-free. And still of no real use on the road. I can't say I've ever had a proper 'traffic light grand prix'; the times someone has looked up for it I've never obliged, I value my tyres and clutch more than impressing some dolt I'll hopefully never meet again.

I had a passenger ride in a Panamera GTS which has launch control as standard. The standing start was biblical, to throw a 2 tonne car down the road in a way it has no right to - you could feel the front wheels scrabbling for traction (I guess due to the wait shifting backwords).

Do I need it - no.

Would I get the dealer to check the ECU to tell me how many full bore starts have been done - yes

[BenGB]

I had the good fortune recently to take an hour long test test drive of a Ferrari California T fitted with launch control. Despite allegedly being the soft option for shandy drinking Ferrari owners, it does a mid 3's 0-60 with the LC activated. I had a go twice on a very long straight road and will NEVER forget the feeling that someone had just smacked a large lorry into the back of the car. I could barely hold my head up straight and was grinning for about 3 hours afterwards.
Pointless? Yep.
Huge fun for the very few times you'll use it? Oh yes.

[walsh]

Everyone is being very sensible in this thread.

Its no different than doing a handbrake turn in principle. Totally, utterly pointless unless you are on a rally stage, but I defy any petrolhead not to grin when you execute a good handbrake turn in a suitable place, and having experienced a launch control'ed start in a golf R at the weekend ( well a few actually), I think the same rule applies. A lot of performance cars are now some form of duel clutch auto, and cynical marketing tool or not, having a function that allowed you to be a total yob off the line is FUN. Which is kind of the point isn't it?

Shouldn't be called launch control. The button should have "bbbbbbrrrrrrrrr,bang, Jesus Christ weeee" on it.

Its totally pointless, but its totally hilarious. And it made my friend and I feel like teenagers again.

I wholeheartedly approve. Even in a golf.

[Eth2312]

I've just taken delivery of a brand new 1 series 120d M Sport with the sports automatic box, apparently this has the launch control ability...I would understand if I went for the 135i perhaps having this but not a 120d! Once I figure out how to use it will let you know thoughts...although not sure I want to if it will wear certain parts prematurely, I actually own this one.

[Smurfybhoy]

I thought the main reason for launch control was for big turbo cars to build boost on the line so that there is no spooling up to be done by the turbo when you dump the clutch

Got it in my Subaru

[R8VXF]

Smurfybhoy said:

I thought the main reason for launch control was for big turbo cars to build boost on the line so that there is no spooling up to be done by the turbo when you dump the clutch

Got it in my Subaru

Thought that was called anti lag.

[liner33]

R8VXF said:

Thought that was called anti lag.

It is

Launch control is to hold the engine at a set rpm allowing consistent* launches

• not necessarily fastest possible

[Major Fallout]

Just found out that I have Launch control on my car after reading this.

I have had the car for 7 years, probably won't try it.

[mat205125]

NelsonP said:

Had it on an old car. Used it twice when I first got it. Then never again. Fun, but pointless.

Did the same with my old E46 M3 SMG.

Acceleration was brutal off the line in first, and through the shift into second.

Never ever did it again, and never even used the fastest shift speed on track days either.

Mechanical sympathy = reliability!

Makes me laugh when people think they've got to shift like Vin Diesel to drive fast.

[crispyshark]

CO2000 said:

Had it on a Escort Cosworth in the 90's, along with antilag.........broke a front diff! (& prop later) RWD was fun though

That made me giggle. Respect, Sir!

My friend won't use it on his B5 S4 as he thinks putting 460BHP down in one mighty wallop might damage a few of the drive components.....having driven it, I'm inclined to agree!

[R8VXF]

crispyshark said:

That made me giggle. Respect, Sir!

My friend won't use it on his B5 S4 as he thinks putting 460BHP down in one mighty wallop might damage a few of the drive components.....having driven it, I'm inclined to agree!

He won't be putting down peak power, peak torque possibly.

[iloveboost]

walsh said:

Everyone is being very sensible in this thread.

Its no different than doing a handbrake turn in principle. Totally, utterly pointless unless you are on a rally stage, but I defy any petrolhead not to grin when you execute a good handbrake turn in a suitable place, and having experienced a launch control'ed start in a golf R at the weekend ( well a few actually), I think the same rule applies. A lot of performance cars are now some form of duel clutch auto, and cynical marketing tool or not, having a function that allowed you to be a total yob off the line is FUN. Which is kind of the point isn't it?

Shouldn't be called launch control. The button should have "bbbbbbrrrrrrrrr,bang, Jesus Christ weeee" on it.

Its totally pointless, but its totally hilarious. And it made my friend and I feel like teenagers again.

I wholeheartedly approve. Even in a golf.

I think this basically sums it up. It's a silly, grin inducing gimmick for some owners to use a few times when they get a car, and never again. In a way it's like riding a roller-coaster. The first time you go on it's great and you get a bit of a buzz, then it's more boring and stops getting scary after a few goes.