Does anyone actually use launch control?

[AngloCan]

Other than getting a reaction from passengers new to EV's (myself included when I got it) I'm struggling to find any real-world use for the function. Yes, selecting Sport / Sport+ gives you a tighter throttle response but is that even needed for anything other than a track? This is my first EV and having almost all the available power and torque available in any drive mode will get me past just about every other road user I'm likely to meet on my morning commute. Would I get rid of it - heck nah! Tapping into that bonus power on LC occasions is so much more fun! but 99.9% of the time I see it as a gimmick at best - albeit a grin inducing gimmick!

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[WuffvonTrips]

I was thinking the on ramp to the M4 at Swindon the day I get it but that is very busy.
I shan’t be going out just to try launch control. Either I’ll come across a situation where I can try it or I won’t bother at all

I've found that any quarter to one third mile stretch of reasonably straight and level quiet B road- that doesn't have any potential for vehicles to join it- does the trick (to ensure no distress to other road users and not looking like a tool for taking off like a scalded cat ...and at least there's no screaming engine and farting exhausts to draw attention, unless it's a GTS ?). Sometimes that opportunity arises when otherwise would remain stuck at the back of a long convoy of tootling traffic- so could be very therapeutic.

 

[Swissbob]

My specific question was why is the extra power only available in launch control, versus whenever you put your foot down (whether in Sport mode or not)? Why the restriction to one somewhat useless scenario?

I have a CT4, so enabling this in normal driving would add useful top end power.

Maybe it’s less relevant if you’ve got a Turbo S more power than you would ever need on a road.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

My specific question was why is the extra power only available in launch control, versus whenever you put your foot down (whether in Sport mode or not)? Why the restriction to one somewhat useless scenario?

My understanding is that the extra power can only be sustained (electrically) for limited bursts of limited frequency. Limiting it to standing starts minimises the driver's call on that power, and gives an opportunity to confirm whether or not the power is available. If it were instead triggered by any full throttle application, the driver isn't going to know for sure how much power will get delivered each time he uses full throttle, which makes for a less controlled and probably more dangerous driving experience.
EDIT- a more useful alternative method would be to have a boost button in the middle of the Sports Chrono switch- in response to which the car could give an audible signal to let the driver know if it will be able to deliver the additional power when he next uses full throttle.

 

[gusone]

No. Couldn't even tell you how to.

 

[DGW]

My understanding is that the extra power can only be sustained (electrically) for limited bursts of limited frequency. Limiting it to standing starts minimises the driver's call on that power, and gives an opportunity to confirm whether or not the power is available. If it were instead triggered by any full throttle application, the driver isn't going to know for sure how much power will get delivered each time he uses full throttle, which makes for a less controlled and probably more dangerous driving experience.
EDIT- a more useful alternative method would be to have a boost button in the middle of the Sports Chrono switch- in response to which the car could give an audible signal to let the driver know if it will be able to deliver the additional power when he next uses full throttle.

i think with EVs especially Taycans when in sport/sport plus mode, the extra burst is available all time to achieve (very) quick accelerations, of course, subject to the battery level. whereas the other ICE models like 911s, and Panameras with the Boost button, revs at higher RPM to get full throttle. just like F1 cars with an electric charge for overtakning, agree with you an extra Boost button on a Taycan would be super nice, hopefully they get that built into the Mission R

 

[whitex]

My specific question was why is the extra power only available in launch control, versus whenever you put your foot down (whether in Sport mode or not)? Why the restriction to one somewhat useless scenario?

I have a CT4, so enabling this in normal driving would add useful top end power.

Maybe it’s less relevant if you’ve got a Turbo S more power than you would ever need on a road.

My guess is that it stresses the battery, so by limiting it to Launch Mode from standstill, they limit how many times a car uses this extra power in its lifetime. If you could access this boost a few times each commute, it might meaningfully affect battery life, which Porsche might have to eat on the battery warranty side.

 

[Dee]

"There is no such thing as too much hp".
Especially standing next to a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Tesla or AMG Mercedes at the traffic lights.
Priceless.

 

[pEAkfrEAk]

Eight times with my own car so far and some more during test drives with other Taycan models. It's just pure fun. Especially with Turbo and Turbo S ?

 

[whitex]

Eight times with my own car so far and some more during test drives with other Taycan models. It's just pure fun. Especially with Turbo and Turbo S ?

The fact that number of launches is tracked by Porsche as a part of battery statistics is consistent with my theory that frequent launch mode usage has a potentially adverse effect on the battery, hence not available as a boost mode during driving (to limit its usage).

 

[f1eng]

I'm used to quick accelerating motorcycles, but honestly, it's really not that difficult to use/handle.

Sorry to reply to an old post but it is easy to handle because the whole procedure is controlled via an algorithm written by a chassis engineer, not the driver.

Anybody wanting to know what the car is really like to "launch" yourself should stop, turn the traction and stability controls off (note - I shall never do this, I have other cars without stability control I have been doing it with for decades) and see how they get on without driver over-rides. See how consistently you can do it yourself and how well you can contriol wheelspin using the pedal.

Assuming. that is, that there actually IS no driver over-ride with TC off, which may not be the case.

Even the 380bhp of my old sports car is WAY more than the rear tyres can take from a standstill.

 

[Caraholic]

Use it more than I thought I would on my turbo. To the point I actually regret not going turbo S some days.

 

[RAHRCR]

Historically, Porsche uses the type of data in the table above as part of their decision to provide CPO on a vehicle. I wonder if they do the same with Taycan…

 

[mco]

Sounds crazy, but I think going 0-60 with launch control in a turbo is a bit too fast. That rush you get comes too quick and is too short lived to enjoy. Would I trade in my turbo? No. Would I be happy in a GTS or 4S had I not set foot in a turbo first? Definitely (car options considered).

 

[tigerbalm]

Have Turbo S since January. Haven't launch controlled it – or even driven it in Sports Plus mode yet! Why did I buy one again?

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