Launch control
Getting a standing start right is harder than it looks. Too little throttle and you bog down. Too much and you're spinning tyres, lighting up the traction control, and losing time. Launch control removes that uncertainty entirely. It holds the engine at a precise, pre-set RPM while the car is stationary, then releases traction and drive in a single controlled moment. The result is a repeatable, consistent launch every time, no guesswork, no wheel spin scramble.
At Manchester Dyno Centre we code and activate launch control for a wide range of vehicles. Whether it's unlocking a feature your car already has buried in the ECU or adding the software to make it work, our lead tuner Samuel Gunnell has the tools and the experience to get it done properly.
How launch control works
Launch control is an ECU function. When activated, it allows you to hold the engine at a set RPM with the brakes applied. The moment you release, the system manages throttle, ignition, and traction simultaneously to deliver maximum acceleration without losing control.
Some cars, particularly BMW M and M Sport models, Audi S and RS models, the Cupra Formentor, and the VW Golf R, already have launch control built into the ECU from the factory. Manufacturers often restrict or hide the feature depending on the market or trim level. In those cases, it simply needs coding to enable. No hardware changes, no modifications to the engine, just the right ECU software to unlock what's already there.
For cars where launch control isn't present at all, it can be added as a software feature during a remap. We frequently include it as part of a Stage 1 or Stage 2 package, or it can be done as a standalone service.
Which cars can we do?
We work with a broad range of makes and models. Popular requests include:
If your car isn't on the list above, get in touch. Samuel has over 10 years of tuning experience and works across a wide range of platforms. If launch control can be coded or activated on your vehicle, we'll tell you straight.
Standalone or part of a package
Launch control can be added on its own or alongside a remap. If you're already looking at Stage 1 or Stage 2 tuning, it makes sense to include it at the same time, the car is already on the dyno and the ECU is already open. Talk to us when you book and we'll advise the best approach for your setup.
Get in touch
Launch control pricing varies by vehicle and whether it's being combined with other work. Call us or send an enquiry and we'll give you a straight quote.
Manchester Dyno Centre HNA Facilities, Plot Zero, James Nasmyth Way, Eccles, Manchester M30 0SF (Eccles, Manchester) 0161 302 5117