For the 2010 model year, all Corvettes will receive Launch Control, and the Z06 and ZR1 models also get Performance Traction Management.
Launch Control is accessed when the car is at a standstill, the clutch is fully depressed, the stability control is in Competition mode and the throttle hits the floor. The onboard computer will then recognize this as a drag launch and select an appropriate engine speed from about 3600–4800 rpm. The reason for variance is that the computer takes into account temperature and other engine operating conditions to best meet the required torque demand at launch. While it doesn't take into account varying tire grip, the system does use its high-speed sampling of 100 Hz to adjust based on available traction. How does it work? It is said to achieve times within 0.1 sec. of factory drivers to both 60 mph and through the quarter mile. However, the system is optimized for the OEM tire, so race rubber will result in faster times, but the difference between a skilled driver and the Launch Control system will become greater. An adjustment for sticky tires would be welcome, but the aftermarket will take car of this.
Performance Traction Management offers five settings, and a full off mode. Each setting offers higher limits and less of a safety net. The better the driver, the higher the setting they will use.
Mode 1: (Wet) Highly managed engine torque. Active Handling is enabled.
Mode 2: (Dry) Engine torque is less managed. Active Handling is enabled.
Mode 3: (Sport) Slight torque management. Active Handling is enabled.
Mode 4: (Sport) Identical to Mode 3; however, Active Handling is disabled.
Mode 5: (Race) Available engine torque is maximized. Active Handling is disabled.
In Mode 4 (Sport) and Mode 5 (Race), the active handling is disabled and only torque management from the engine is used. Thus it's possible to over-drive the car and spin, but if the driver is close to the limit, these modes will help keep him from crossing over it and thus improve performance. Mode 5 is said to improve a pro driver's lap time by a measurable amount — roughly a half second in a 2-minute lap. That's significant. If they did that for the Nürburgring there'd be an improvement of likely more than 2 seconds. For a novice, this system is said to be worth easily 1–2 seconds of time. When asked about how PTM works with modified cars, I was told that it will still work, but it's not optimized for that.
This is clearly a case of race technology filtering down into production sports cars. The technology is a good step forward for Corvette and will help make it even more dominant in the sports car world than it already is.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
Poking fun @ the GT-arrggh?
The Z06 & ZR1 are already race cars as it is. Now the computer basically races the car for you. Kinda ridiculous.
All that combined to 114$ per quart for the trans fluid and no warranty if car is used for it's specific use? J/K
>:o @ Nissan.
