So our GT-R is all reprogrammed and ready to blow the doors off anything on the road without so much as touching a paddle. Yep, that's right, you don't even need manual mode any more. Just leave it in "A1" and the thing will run 11s all day.
It's almost too easy. No, it's definitely too easy. I felt like dropping the hammer at every light this weekend. And why not? No launch-control mishaps to worry about right?
Well, not exactly. Our GT-R doesn't take off with the same clutch-shattering thrust it used to, but it's still not what you would call gentle.
Which made me wonder: Is Nissan digging itself an even bigger hole with the GT-R's new programming? Plenty of owners have already shown that they can't be trusted to know when to say when. Might this new form of launch control encourage more of the same? Shouldn't take long to find out.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 17,039 miles
MN_Car_Enthus says:
01:55 PM, 02/18/09
I'm sorry...what exactly is the topic of your blog post? It isn't clear to me and the post is a big cryptic.
Overuse of launch control by owners?
huyracing says:
02:22 PM, 02/18/09
Nissan basically gave them the OK to launch it all they want to, so why not?!
It should be far less abusive on the clutches, though. There is still much to be learned in the world of Dual Clutch Transmissions. The aftermarket has remedied some of the issues with the VW DSG/ Audi S-Tronic and shown to provide better performance and better wear.
The VW DSG doesn't apply full torque on the clutches in factory trim and when more power is added, this will cause the clutches to slip more and burn up faster. Also, it has a habit of shifting to top gear when cruising even at low speeds and when a pass is required, the downshift from top gear to lowest possible at WOT is much harsher than if it were simply in the correct gear.
Point is, this reflash should be a good thing...
msdaisy says:
02:25 PM, 02/18/09
He's concerned that people will use launch control more frequently because of its newfound ease, which in turn can lead to broken transmissions -- which the new programming set out to prevent in the first place.
wahsingku says:
03:35 PM, 02/18/09
good point. but Nissan MUST have done extensive testing and found that it's perfectly safe to launch all day at this new rpm level. Otherwise, it wouldn't be covered under warranty!... right?
billt9 says:
04:02 PM, 02/18/09
I thought the VDC ON/OFF RPMs are now identical. So you can launch it all day.
mazdaspeed_jon says:
04:08 PM, 02/18/09
I think that this new programming could lead owners into a different kind of "trouble." With the overall ease of launching the car with the revised programming, will it encouraging people to do it more often and getting themselves into trouble more in the "legal" sense? If only there was a way to track traffic violations on specific car models! Especially if they get pulled over with the stopwatch display showing on the onboard computer (http://flickr.com/photos/mazdaspeedjon/2432843759/in/set-72157604678327829/) considering CAVC 23109 says:A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device." Lesson here - don't clock your own 0-60 times!
porschecarrera says:
05:32 PM, 02/18/09
I don't see how this is a bad thing. You don't hear Corvette, Viper or Ferrari owners bemoaning the lack of launch control on their supercars. And anyway, if a car's owner can't afford the maintenance on his car, then he probably shouldn't be driving it in the first place.
g8gtnorth says:
09:36 PM, 02/18/09
"Engineering thought, emotion, feel and interactivity out of our cars - Nissan"
TheDustman says:
09:05 AM, 02/19/09
Be greatful...I cant even get the software patch on my GTR currently.