GFerg

For 07' Traction control 'Launch Control' feature will now be all vehicles equiped with the Direct Shift Gearbox. Activation possible when vehicle is at a complete stop, 'ESP' button is disengaged and the transmission lever is placed either in 'S' or in 1st gear with Tiptronic. This allows controlled wheelspin for a maximized acceleration at takeoff.



Trying to trace back to the proper press release, but this is it so far. APparently its been available on Euro models for awhile now.

foofighter

i thought that was always available at least in europe...they took it away in the states

SDLS430

My brother has a new GTI w/dsg. Great car, I wonder if 2006 GTIs can be updated to have launch control? It seems like a software change.

Sam

LexFather

I hope this technology spreads FAST!

mmarshall

Problem is....you don't want wheelspin for maximum acceleration. That is a myth. Spinning wheels simply waste gas, tire tread, and transmission / clutch life without actually getting you anywhere.
Maximum acceleration, like threshold breaking for shortest stopping distances, comes just short of the breaking point, You want the most torque applied to the tires without breaking traction so the tires can grip the pavement and thrust you forward. Any more torque than that just breaks the wheels loose and even detracts from accleration.
That is one of the reasons for both ABS and traction control. ABS maximizes braking by applying brake pressure in rapid pulses until the tires just start to slide, then backs off and repeats the cycle....many times per second. Traction control maximizes acceleration by working the same way.......preventing the tires from losing traction through wheelspin. Engineers sometimes program the traction and stability controls for some leeway......but on dry pavement, this is actually more for show than go.