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Driving and Driving Safety
Driving off with Launch Control
Launch Control allows you to achieve maximum
acceleration from standstill.
Warning!
There is a risk of endangering other road
users if you use this Control in an improper
location or in a situation where other persons
might need to take evasive action due to the
rapid acceleration that this technology
permits.
Launch Control is designed to be used in a
controlled environment on closed circuit driving
courses where no vehicle cross traffic or
pedestrian traffic is present.
f
Use Launch Control only if conditions permit it
to be applied in a safe manner.
f
Do not use Launch Control if there is a
possibility it could endanger other persons.
Such a possibility exists if you cannot see that
you have a clear road with no possibility of
cross traffic in your intended direction of
driving.
Caution!
Stress on components increases
dramatically when starting with maximum
acceleration in comparison with “normal”
driving off. Use of Launch Control will
inevitably reduce the life of the engaged
engine and transmission components.
Preconditions:
– Launch Control should only be used when the
engine has reached operating temperature.
– “Sport Plus” mode must be switched on
(indicator light on the button comes on and
“SPORT PLUS” appears on the multi-function
display).
1. Press the brake with your left foot.
2. Quickly press the accelerator down fully
(kickdown activated) and hold it.
The engine speed will level off at
around 5,000 rpm on the
Panamera S
,
around 5,500 rpm on the
Panamera 4S,
around 4,550 rpm on the
Panamera Turbo
.
“Launch Control active” appears on the
multi-function display.
3. Release the brake within a few seconds.
Remaining stationary for a long time with
“Launch Control active” can lead to
overloading of the transmission.
To protect the transmission, the engine power
is then reduced and the “Launch Control
active” process is cancelled.
Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the shift buttons on the steering wheel, you
can change temporarily from automatic selection
mode
D
to manual mode
M
.
For example:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering
built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For cornering (depending on the lateral
acceleration) and overrunning.
– When the vehicle is stationary
(e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after around 8 seconds
(unless cornering or overrunning),
– after driving off.
