SVT Dissects The GT500’s Launch Control

As the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 hits showroom floors, it brings with it multiple “firsts” and “mosts”, some of which might not be for the faint of heart. Given the hyper, hot-r0d Mustang is the most powerful factory Blue Oval pony car yet as well as carrying the highest output production V8 ever created, the act of keeping that kind of gusto in check could prove tricky. As rambunctious as 662 SAE-certified horsepower sounds, the engineers at SVT have pulled all the stops to make sure those ponies get to the ground in the most manageable way possible and thus, the Shelby will be the first Mustang to come out of a Ford factory with launch control.

“With so much more power and torque on tap from the new 5.8-liter V8, launch control makes it easier for drivers to take advantage of the performance,” said John Pfeiffer, senior engineer at SVT Vehicle Engineering. Usually reserved for high-end supercars and the aftermarket, the GT500’s launch control system incorporates assistance from both the ECU and traction control. Before, a “hard start” with more than 600 horsepower and rear wheel drive would cause an eruption of white tire smoke and a rather slow forward motion but not in the latest Shelby. Like most other systems, a driver can depress the clutch, floor the accelerator and the car’s electronics will take care of the rest, holding the 5.8 liter supercharged V8 at its most desirable take-off rpm. Once the third pedal is released, the ECU and traction control will modulate the engine’s speed and the rear brakes so that just the right amount of wheel spin can occur for lightning fast and grip filled launches.

“We recognize not every driver has the same style, and surface, tire and climate conditions vary,” said Eddie Khan, SVT Engineering supervisor. Unlike most other manufacture’s systems, the Ford’s allows drivers options. Available through a simple button push or a perusal through the center display’s Track Apps, the Shelby allows drivers to pick their desired launch speed with 100 rpm increments. Revolutions ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 rpms can be picked so that sticky drag slicks can be used to their utmost potential. “We developed this system to enable 90 percent of drivers to be able to achieve very fast, smooth and consistent starts with the Shelby GT500 regardless of their skill level,” said Khan. “Experienced drag racers may be able to get away slightly quicker, but chances are they won’t be as consistent.”

Source: Ford