NISSAN DROPS LAUNCH CONTROL ON GT-R

[Baron Von Alders]

From Autotech Daily:

NISSAN DROPS LAUNCH CONTROL ON GT-R
Starting with 2010 models, Nissan Motor Co. will no longer equip its GT-R supercar with launch control due to a rash of complaints about transmission problems—most of which weren’t covered under warranty. Losing the feature is a blow to the car’s performance bona fides.

The widely known “secret” launch control, which enables the driver to rev the engine to 4,500 rpm before releasing the foot brake, is activated by turning the car’s VDC stability control system off and configuring the transmission and damping settings to “R” mode. Officially, Nissan says VDC should only be deactivated when rocking a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. Doing so at other times can harm the powertrain, thus voiding the GT-R’s warranty.

Due to an abundance of problems during the car’s inaugural year, Nissan was forced to offer free repairs to avoid a PR nightmare. Without launch control, the GT-R’s zero to 60 mph time is about a second slower and the car is a half second slower over a quarter mile, according to media reports

[LaurenceFrost]

Good news IMO.

Now UK owners can turn traction control off should they want to, without the feat of warranty being invalidated, since turning off VDC was the only way to enable launch control. It was launch control that did all of the damage to the gearboxes.

0-60 is a very small part of what a car is about.

A wise move from Nissan.

[GravelBen]

I wonder if that much proclaimed (and much disputed) Nordschleife time was set with VDC on or off?

[Trommel]

It doesn't void warranty (even in the US) - they just won't pay for what you break when it's off, same as every other manufacturer.

Very short-sighted offering launch control in the US to begin with.

[ScoobieWRX]

As a result i look forward to pics of the GT-R burning some proper rubber off the line!!

However......Why don't they just strengthen the gearbox and charge a bit more for the pleasure??!!

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Wednesday 26th November 12:34

[gtikurt]

They should just offer a strong proper manual box.

[bob the viking]

For the pleasure of driving a car like that I would rather have a manual box. Even if it slowed the 0 to 60 time, well it would with my gear changes!!