Best way to "launch" a C32 AMG

[Dizwen]

After watching a couple of vids on you-tube of a C32 hitting 60mph in 4.65 secs I was wondering how do you launch an auto like that?

I take it it's abit more technical than burying your foot into the floor and holding on...

Just wondering...

 

[A210AMG]

left foot slightly on the brake? right foot lightly on the go pedal....

then go...

I would think just planting it is quick enough?

 

[stevesey]

Otherwise known as a "Brake stand" start - gets the torque converter fully wound up, engine revs up and air following before you move. Too hard on the throttle and too long on the brake and it obviously doesn't do the gearbox much good.

I recall that Range Rover had to put explicit warnings on US V8s against this after customers kept breaking gearboxes this way at traffic light grand prix (typical americans were trying to sue as the handbook didn't say not to do this).

 

[Barbanasos]

That must have been a tuned one, as not even the c55 will hit 60 in that in most cases. (I just read though that it is feasible).

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Autocar magazine's office road test figure is 0-60mph in 4.6 sec and 0-100 mph in 10.8sec for the C32 AMG.

Building revs on the foot brake is the way to go - too much revs though and you'll lose any benefit in wheelspin or Traction Control cutting in - more than 2700rpm and you'll be close to the supercharger engaging.

To be fair, assuming you're not going to hold it on the brake as it won't do your transmission much good if you do it regularly, with a high performance auto there's not much science to it as the box is consistent in it's changes - unlike a manual where the driver introduces all sorts of inconsistency.

Final thoughts.

The 0-60 and 0-100 times are one of the things that first caught my eye, but the real show of performance comes from a rolling start - any speed with more than 3000rpm dialled up will be quick with a capital F. Unless you're used to very new exotica, time to accelerate between major increments over 100 mph is truly mind blowing. The needle sweeps relentlessly.

If you really must gun it from standstill, then get a slight roll with a gentle dab of throttle before applying full beans, as it's much much kinder to the transmission. You'll still be quicker than whatever draws up next to you, unless it's a very quick car, in which case they'll have to be really quick if it's a manual.

 

[scumbag]

I found that for a non TC controlled start, from rest, just a deliberate press (not a stamp) on the throttle through its full range of travel works wonders.

Mind, that was with a SLK55 so it had no additional devices to assist power into the engine.

And it was a dry day on a good traction surface.

It's just applying a bit of mechanical sympathy, and rather than trying to get the whole X BHP into the wheels before it moves off, as it picks up revs, it will pick up speed.

 

[Dizwen]

Thanks for the replies guys. something to think about...

 

[LTD]

Thanks for the replies guys. something to think about...

.... don't forget thinking about the round rubber things that caress your shiny rims.

They get slimmer if you abuse them often enough.

 

[bolide]

I heard a great "true" story: Magazine has a 4WD Porsche 911 turbo to test. They want to know the fastest way of launching it so they call the Press Office. The Press Office puts them through to Stuttgart and the engineering department:

"Hallo?"

"Yes, we're from AutoMotorCarExpress magazine in England and we want to know how best to launch your new 911 Turbo..."

"Depress ze clutch. Engage first gear. Rev ze engine to ze redline. Now take ze foot off ze clutch"

"You must be joking!"

"Ve are German engineers. Ve never joke!"

Nick Froome

 

[seymansey]

The needle sweeps relentlessly.

This sentence sums up the C32 utterly perfectly.

 

[Dizwen]

This sentence sums up the C32 utterly perfectly.

I've only had the car about four weeks, but I'll second that!

I've test drove a few cars from main dealers, as you do when your bored. The evo 9 FQ 300 is a brutal car, and the power delivery kicks you in the back like a mule. I owned a Boxster, until my son came along and we needed something more practical. I wanted a fast and exciting family saloon that wasn't a BMW or a Audi. I discovered the C32 and the way it delivers it's power is just a brilliant, a surge of power that doesn't seem to stop. It ticked all the boxes I needed.

A fantastic car...

 

[Alps]

i done a few 0-60 sprint runs at trax in my c36, but could never get a good time, the brake thing does work well, but on a hot day waiting for a run isnt going to give good performance! i managed 5.5 in the c36 which was the best i got.