In This Article...
How Does Launch Control Function and What Is It?
In sports cars and other performance-oriented vehicles, launch control is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that aids in swift acceleration from a standing start. Like blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assistance, well-known ADAS are specifically designed to provide safety support. Launch control, on the other hand, aims to generate as much power and traction as feasible so that a car may accelerate as rapidly as possible from a stop. The emphasis is on the “launch” and following zero-to-60 mph times, despite the fact that the “control” part of its name contains a safety-related component.
What does “launch control” mean for a fast car?
The driver occasionally needs to utilize something called “launch control” when a high-performance car needs to launch itself off the line.
It is the same in theory if it sounds like anything from an Apollo moon mission.
Launch control helps you launch your high-performance Porsche, BMW M vehicle, or even the renowned Nissan GT-R, as it is advertised to do.
We hear you saying, “But I can do that by myself without this nannying software.” What makes launch control necessary?
Are there launch controls on the Porsche Macan?
The Sport Chrono package, which you’ll need if you want Launch Control, seems like the most entertaining option. Additionally, it has a stopwatch mounted on the dashboard for tracking your track runs and a dial on the steering wheel for switching between drive modes.
How does the Porsche Panamera’s launch control work?
- Fully depress the brake pedal.
- Press the accelerator pedal firmly and quickly. Passing the kickdown notch is mandatory.
- The revs will stay at the launch control RPM that has been set.
- Quickly let go of the brake pedal while maintaining full acceleration.
- Enjoy
Is launch control available on any car?
Any modern, serious performance vehicle must now have launch control. Heck, a launch control system is even included with the latest Renault Clio RS! Supercars now dominate drag racing, appearing to always launch perfectly and leaving most manual clutch-dumpers in their wake.
What functions do a launch control?
As vital as the engine’s power is in a drag race is getting off the line faster than the opposition. Wheel spin is the enemy in this situation. Suppose you accidentally burn out at the starting line while your rival’s car has little wheel spin. If their 700-hp car is halfway down the straightaway by the time your tires grip, then your 800 horsepower won’t matter.
Launch control helps manage torque, throttle, and gear ratios to prevent vehicle damage in addition to reducing wheel spin (and hop). Without launch control, there is a greater risk of engine overrev and transmission overheating.
Does launch control speed up the car?
A computer program and an electronic accelerator are used in launch control. Based on engine specs, the software regulates acceleration to make the automobile accelerate smoothly and quickly while preventing difficulties with the clutch and gearbox, spinning of the drive wheels, and engine failure due to over-revving. Only at the beginning of the race, when the car is still on the starting grid, is this capability available in racing cars. The program is turned off after the car reaches a specific speed.
Launch control is there on the Panamera Turbo?
With 550 horsepower and a powerful launch control mode, the 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds.
What advantage does launch control provide?
Launch control, once relegated to just the most expensive supercars, is now much more frequently desired and present in more “everyday” super-powered vehicles.
Launch command explanation: Launch control reduces wheel spin and hop, increases usable power, weight transfer, and traction, and, in forced-induction powertrains, increases boost to the necessary level.
You can activate a certain driver mode within the traction control settings to start launch control in newer automobiles (with launch control choices). The brake must be depressed for a predetermined amount of time after the setting has been chosen before the throttle can be fully opened. When the rev counter reaches a predetermined limit, you must release the brake. The throttle is specifically opened at this time to enable the least amount of tire spin and the fastest acceleration. The clutch is engaged by the ECU when the brake pedal is depressed, in effect acting as a trigger mechanism.
To prevent the engine from turning over at a faster rate, pre-set rev limiters (programmed into the car’s computer) will turn off the ignition. Most rev limiters are placed between 3500 and 4500 rpm, and they begin to decrease after the torque is released to the wheels. The experts who programmed the ECU estimated this limit by determining the highest torque output through the wheels that will result in the quickest acceleration.
Launch control is increasingly common on supercar spec sheets all over the world, but it works best with turbocharged or supercharged engines. Launch control systems enable a turbocharger to spool up in advance of launch by allowing your car’s engine to achieve a rev limit at a standstill. This results in a significantly higher power output from the engine than from a standard launch.
Avoid confusing launch control with anti-lag, which works by essentially igniting small amounts of exhaust gas just before the turbocharger to keep it spinning.
Although many newer models include a launch control button, many older model owners still want to test this out and can do so manually.
- Locate a space that is free of obstructions and safe before attempting your launch.
- Disable traction control.
- Set the rpm to 5200 using the access port.
- Affirm the clutch.
- When you step on the gas, you’ll notice the rev counter rise to 5200 rpm.
- Open the clutch.
Always use caution and enjoy properly exploring your launch control experiences.
What impact does launch control have?
Launch control may have been more of a novelty when it initially appeared on production automobiles than a practical performance element.
According to Road & Track, significant powertrain damage from multiple launches wasn’t uncommon. According to Car and Driver, Nissan had to reprogramme the R35 GT-system R’s exactly because the dual-clutch transmission of the supercar would be destroyed. In some cases, careful human input could surpass computer control in performance vehicles. It was demonstrated on an SRT Viper by Car and Driver.
Launch control is now necessary to obtain the finest acceleration data, though, as of recent years. For instance, it enables the future Hummer EV to achieve a stated 0-60 mph pace of 3.0 seconds. According to MotorTrend, the electronics just react more quickly and reliably than even some of the greatest humans can.
These advantages, it must be said, are frequently somewhat little. The launch control typically reduced 0-60 mph times by 0.1-0.2 seconds during Car and Driver’s testing. Likewise, 1/4-mile times were lowered. A faster 0-60 mph time is still a great method to demonstrate how fast your new sports car is, The Drive suggests. And launch control makes that possible.
However, the consistency difference is likely the most important advantage. All but the best human drivers cannot measure power and traction as accurately as a properly calibrated computer. Which is crucial if you’re taking part in a drag race.
What does it mean for an automobile to launch?
Launching’s single objective is to accelerate the vehicle as rapidly as feasible.
The ideas I’m going to go through apply whether you’re looking to attain the quickest 0-60, 0-100, quarter-mile, or half-mile time.
However, each car has its own unique set of considerations that must be made in order to attain the ideal launch.
However, before I continue, it is advised to have a high level of comfort and proficiency when operating a manual vehicle.
Is traction control the same as launch control?
The system can’t always tell what the driver’s intentions are because traction control is designed to keep the car stable. By including a launch control mode, the driver can openly state their intentions and inform the slip control system that they desire maximum acceleration on the following launch.
How can I tell if I am in command of the launch?
Many people mistakenly assumed that Launch Control was only found in BMW racing vehicles and track-specific or racing-style vehicles, such as the BMW M4 coupe. In actuality, it is more prevalent than you could initially believe in a variety of models.
BMW M high-performance versions were the only ones to have it at first, but after 2013, several non-M cars also got the technology. Models from lower series, such as the 3 and 4 Series, are included. There’s a significant probability that you have Launch Control in your car if it was produced after 2013 and you might not even be aware of it.
Go to your infotainment screen, select “Vehicle info,” then select “Owner’s manual,” where you may perform a search for the term “Launch Control” to find out for sure if you have this option. Any words that don’t match an on-board feature are removed by the handbook. If your search yields results, you now have access to the functionality.
The handbook will also walk you through the process step-by-step, but just in case you don’t want to look it up, we’ve provided a simple tutorial below.
How many times can a BMW be launched into action?
At its most severe shift setting, Launch Control can only be used 50 times on a BMW M3 G80 G82. We on the F90 board discovered a few weeks ago that BMW only allows the ZF8 transmissions to carry out 50 launches.
Launch control: Does it violate the warranty?
BMW would not have incorporated it if doing so would breach the warranty because it can lead to premature wear. If the clutch on the DCT becomes worn from launching, they will classify it as “wear” and charge you for it. similar to an MT’s clutch. Abuse would be a problem because no warranty permits unrestricted misuse of the vehicle.
Is the clutch damaged when a car is launched?
Launching your vehicle The complete car clutch system may become damaged if the clutch is pressed when the RPM is increased to 4000 or 5000. You might need to replace your clutch or possibly the entire clutch system after a few wheel spins.