was there anything special or different about them?

 

Just lots of options.

 

they have limited slip and the racing seats. The seats killed the cars for most people, they are too hard to get in and out of, thats why there are so many of those 09s for sale

 

Unless you plan to track your car...and then they are a godsend.

 

Depends which year you are talking about - '05 or '09?

 

My T4S is an '07 launch. My understanding is Porsche made available early cars in the production run to dealers that were made with expected options that they believed buyers would want and prefer not to have to wait for an ordered car to be slotted into production, made and delivered. Nothing exactly special other than the buyers were the first kids on the block to have one.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, the '09 launch cars (white/grey and green/tan base Carerras) were pretty much 'launch cars' for the PDK transmission.

 

I believe you are correct. And was there also a C4S edition with the race seats?

 

and do they have the ims engine, probably...

 

... and more importantly, the Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) motor.

 

I have an '05 Launch. To me, it is special. To most other folks it is a loaded C2S.

They were speced with lots of options. Some of them are:

Black/Black Full Leather

PCCBs

Adaptive Sport Seats (heated)

Sunroof

Navigation/Bose

Potentially exploding IMS

 

You're confused - ""launch edition" is an option package, has nothing to do with the engine.

 

Yes, those are the gray ones with the race seats.

 

everything from 09 up (this is the launch edition) has the dfi engine and optional pdk. the 09 c4s has the seats and limited slip.
the 09 launch has all that stuff

 

Launce edition refers to a new model or revised modes such as the 997.2 cars. I had an 09 Cabrio that was a launch car in that it was PDK and Aqua Blue, ipod and bluetooth. No other options.

They get sent to dealers to show the new equipment. Some or most are used as testdrivers. I bought mine last year from orig. owner with just 1500 miles, sold recently with 4000 miles. Porsche did send me a letter with a free extended year on waranty as this was a test drive car.