[original post date: 02/10/2009] I honestly believe that the new Nissan GT-R has sparked quite an interest and crave for launch control. Many cars way before the Nissan GT-R have had their own system for a launch control either in a SMG transmission in the E46 BMW M3 or the Volkswagen’s early DSG found in the GTI.

The ultimate crave for launch control baffles me but you have to understand that I would take a full manual transmission any day over a, what Jeremy Clarkson calls them, floppy paddle gear box. Even with Nissans woes with grenaded transmissions in the GT-R, launch control is still a big hit. Even Hitler “had to launch it”.

Ever since the introduction of drive-by-wire, auto manufacturers have been toying with new electronics that improve upon the over-all safety of a vehicle. New systems come standard in many vehicles now such as dynamic skid control or also known as vehicle dynamic control or electronic stability control (name varies from each manufacturer). Many of these new systems utilize a combination of computer operated units from the ABS braking, traction control and accelerator control. I am sure if manufacturers thought they could play with these systems and make a car safer then why not develop a precise method for accelerating a vehicle with a computer to make it faster.

It is all a numbers game if you think about it. I am sure many car enthusiasts, including yourself, may have experimented with dropping your clutch at a certain RPM to get the full potential out of a launch from a dead-stop. Even you guys with automatics have almost perfected holding the brake pedal while stomping on the accelerator in preparation for a ‘launch’. What if your car could do this for you? Well, many new exotic and sports cars can but it does take the use of a special transmission or a manual transmission that is controlled by a computer, except in Porsches’ case with their newest launch control system on a full manual transmission.

Where did this idea and technology come from?

If you think about it, F1 cars among other racing cars were already using a type of the technology that we see in today’s cars fitted with dual clutch transmissions and SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) units. Racing is where it begins… most times. From the F1 cars now shifting well under 60 milliseconds to the Nissan GT-R’s dual clutch shifting time of around 200 milliseconds, computers have taken cars to a new level of performance where a human just simply cannot match yielding a much higher level of performance.

Cars with Launch Control

Many of the baby boomers know ‘launch control’ to be something only NASA quotes in the control room during a space shuttle launch. Now we can all experience a ‘horizontal’ launch in many of today’s technologically advanced performance vehicles.

So which cars have launch control? Below is a short list that we have compiled of all vehicles with an available launch control. If we missed any please post a comment below and let us know.

Please note: Some of the vehicles included on the list may only have a staging RPM setting which some may call “launch control” but it is not as involved as a fully automated launch control or uses a sequential shifting transmission (paddle shifter) such as in the Nissan GT-R.

• Audi R8
• Audi TT
• BMW M3
• BMW M5
• BMW M6
• Bugatti Veyron
• Chevrolet Corvette/ZR1
• Ferrari 360cs
• Ferrari 599 GTB/GTO
• Ferrari F430/Scuderia
• Ferrari 458 Italia
• Lamborghini Gallardo/LP560
• Lamborghini Murcielago/LP640
• Lexus LFA
• Mercedes Benz McLaren SLR
• Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG
• Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
• Mitsubishi Evo Lancer Evolution/MR
• Nissan GT-R
• Porsche 911/Carrera/S/GT2
• Volkswagen GTI/Golf/Rabbit/R32

Various videos demonstrating launch control below after the jump…

This video is really amazing, you get to see two super cars go head to head! A ZR1 vs a Lambo? I wish I could have been there! In theory the Lambo should be faster than the ZR1, its lighter by about 60lbs and has 30 more hp, plus it has AWD. In the video the Lamborghini is being driven by a factory driver and the Corvette is being driven by a regular old auto journalist. This really makes you think that the ZR1 is one hell of a bargain!

[Source: YouTube via Autocar]

You may remember we posted information on the Hennessey 705hp HPE700 Camaro and now Hennessey continues on with this 705hp tradition by tuning the Corvette ZR1 introducing a 705hp Hennessey ZR700 Corvette.

Undoubtedly the Chevy Corvette ZR1 is Americans most powerful (native) supercar available. You thought 638hp was enough? Obviously Hennessey did not. They pumped an extra 67 ponies by increasing the boost from the supercharger by 3psi for a total of 14psi while installing other gadgets like a new intercooler, high-flow cats, stainless steel exhaust headers and a custom ECU programming. Just like the Hennessey Camaro, these parts will be available as a mail order kit later this year around May… ZR1 not included.

From these mods the performance jumps to an impressive 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 212mph.

Speculation is that there will be a even more powerful Corvette ZR750 (add on kit) which will replace some internals of the already magnificent LS9 engine upping horse power to 755 with 730lb-ft of torque. That’s a serious bite!

[source: Hennessey Motorsports]

Below are two exclusive videos of the Hennessey ZR700 Corvette running the quarter mile in 11.03 seconds and getting a “quick” dyno run … after the jump…

Hennessey Performance Engineering based out of Texas (HPE) introduced the Corvette ZR1 to the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and it’s a monster. This limited edition Camaro will sport 705 horsepower which matches the likings of other Hennessey projects such as the Godzilla 700 Nissan GT-R and others.

The new LS9 engine from the ZR1 in supercharged form will be used in this beast along with other components from the ZR1 such as the carbon ceramic breaks, HRE wheels and even the clear hood scoop so you can show off to your friends what you are really packing.

Believe it or not, this is supposed to be a packaged offered at your local Chevrolet dealership. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bolt-ons, this is major work considering the price tag of $109,000.

Sponsored Link: Camaro for sale

Jay Leno says “This is the Greatest Corvette Ever” when he referrers to the new 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. It is the ultimate Corvette, the most powerful Corvette and the most powerful car GM has ever made. While people may dog out GM because they need a bailout to “survive” during our economic downturn, they really deserve some credit and jay Leno gives them plenty as he takes us for a ride in the new Corvette ZR1. Below is the video from Jay Leno’s Garage website.

The ZR1 = 638 hp, 605 lb.-ft. of torque, and 205 mph! Massive 15.5 inch carbon-ceramic Brembro brakes should last the life of the vehicle, and the 20 spoke alloy rims are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, developed specifically for the ZR1.

Enjoy the Jay Leno ZR1 video after the jump…

So you may be a street racer but with a large exposable income what would you take to the streets to compete in a knock-down drag race? Would you choose the new Corvette ZR1, Ferrari 599 GTB, Porsche 911 GT2 or the Nissan GT-R? Which one would win in street drag race? You may be surprised. Motor Trend has put together a nice little video of all 4 of these supercars in a dirty street drag race.

Who will win? I will give you a hint: This is one race that the GT-R haters may actually like.

Enjoy the Video (after the jump)!