Launch control (automotive)

Switch for activating launch control in the center console of a Porsche 918 RSR.

Launch control is an electronic aid to assist drivers of both racing and street cars to accelerate from a standing start. Motorcycles have been variously fitted with mechanical and electronic devices for both street and race.

Popular automobiles with launch control include the BMW M series, certain marques of the Volkswagen Group with Direct-Shift Gearbox (most notably the Bugatti Veyron), Porsche 911 (sport+ mode), Panamera Turbo, Alfa Romeo with TCT gearbox and certain General Motors products. Mitsubishi also incorporated launch control into their Twin Clutch SST gearbox, on its "S-Sport" mode, but the mode is only available in the Evolution X MR and MR Touring (USDM). The Jaguar F-Type includes launch control. The Nissan GT-R has electronics to control launch but the company does not use the term "launch control"[1] since some owners have equated the term with turning off the stability control to launch the car, which may void the warranty of the drivetrain. One version of Nissan GT-R allows user to launch the car by turning the Traction Control to "R" mode.

  1. ^ Mitani, Sam (17 March 2009). "2010 Nissan GT-R". www.roadandtrack.com. Retrieved 19 January 2020.