Launching
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 113
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2020 S63 Coupe, 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha, 2018 McLaren 720S, 2022 Porsche 911 TurboS, 2022 Tesla Model X
Launching
Reading all these interesting discussions of 55 versus 63, I wanted to get input on how to best launch these torque heavy cars.
I keep the traction control on at all times. Even so, I spin the tires instantly with heavy throttle anywhere in first or second gear. The car wobbles a bit before the intense thrust kicks in, with the yellow exclamation point flashing on the instrument cluster. And when I get out of the car, little pieces of my Pirelli PZero Nero (255/30F & 305/25R) are splattered all over on the lower door panels and rear fenders. And this is without pressing the pedal to the "click" point.
To avoid this I have to open throttle gently. Either way, I typically end up a few car lengths behind early on. Now once I get up to 30mph or so, or get into third gear, then I can do WOT without losing significant grip. And doing so I have quickly overtaken each challenger to date by 60mph.
I've been driving in mainly "S" mode but am starting to think it may be better to start off in second gear, i.e. "C" mode, which lets me open the throttle more quickly without losing grip.
What are others doing to get a good launch on these cars ?
I keep the traction control on at all times. Even so, I spin the tires instantly with heavy throttle anywhere in first or second gear. The car wobbles a bit before the intense thrust kicks in, with the yellow exclamation point flashing on the instrument cluster. And when I get out of the car, little pieces of my Pirelli PZero Nero (255/30F & 305/25R) are splattered all over on the lower door panels and rear fenders. And this is without pressing the pedal to the "click" point.
To avoid this I have to open throttle gently. Either way, I typically end up a few car lengths behind early on. Now once I get up to 30mph or so, or get into third gear, then I can do WOT without losing significant grip. And doing so I have quickly overtaken each challenger to date by 60mph.
I've been driving in mainly "S" mode but am starting to think it may be better to start off in second gear, i.e. "C" mode, which lets me open the throttle more quickly without losing grip.
What are others doing to get a good launch on these cars ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 1
Starting in Comfort mode does help to an extent, but if you hit it hard enough it'll just downshift to first which will cause more wheelspin than if you had just started in first to begin with.
Some people have found brake-torquing or powerbraking to be a good solution. Hold down your brake while bringing the RPM up to around 11-1200. When ready, release the brake and ease into the throttle after the jump. The art of the launch is in this feathering of the throttle and finding the yolk where you get max power and no wheelspin. Only once you've become a master at this can you perform it with ESP off and get a better launch. With ESP off you will usually see the best launch due to the absence of computer intervention. But, of course, you can't let your wheels slip. As far as suspension setting I'm assuming comfort would be the best so the car has room to squat but I'm not so sure as to how true that is. Do a search for more info as there are hundreds of ways to launch this car. Hope this helps.
Some people have found brake-torquing or powerbraking to be a good solution. Hold down your brake while bringing the RPM up to around 11-1200. When ready, release the brake and ease into the throttle after the jump. The art of the launch is in this feathering of the throttle and finding the yolk where you get max power and no wheelspin. Only once you've become a master at this can you perform it with ESP off and get a better launch. With ESP off you will usually see the best launch due to the absence of computer intervention. But, of course, you can't let your wheels slip. As far as suspension setting I'm assuming comfort would be the best so the car has room to squat but I'm not so sure as to how true that is. Do a search for more info as there are hundreds of ways to launch this car. Hope this helps.
