Adaptive control of motor vehicle powertrain

A method of blending between different characteristics of accelerator pedal position and output torque in a vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting a first operating mode of the vehicle, and applying a source torque value associated with the first operating mode and an instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• changing to a second mode of the vehicle and selecting a target torque value associated with the second operating mode and the instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• progressively blending, by an electronic control system of the vehicle, the first operating mode source torque value to the second operating mode target torque value over time;
• controlling a source of propulsion of the vehicle to produce the selected or blended torque value;
• and
• wherein the blending is delayed if the position of the accelerator pedal is substantially unchanging.

An electronic control system of a vehicle for blending between different characteristics of accelerator pedal position and output torque by reference to a plurality of torque values held within a memory, the system being configured to:

• detect a first operating mode of the vehicle and apply a source torque value associated with the first operating mode and an instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• detect a change in the operating mode of the vehicle from the first operating mode to a second operating mode and select a target torque value associated with the second operating mode and the instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• and
• blend from the first operating mode source torque value to the second operating mode target torque value over time, the system being further configured to delay blending if a difference between the first and second torque values is below a predetermined threshold;
• and
• control a source of propulsion of the vehicle to produce the selected or blended torque value.

An electronic control system of a vehicle for blending between different characteristics of accelerator pedal position and output torque by reference to a plurality of torque values within a memory, the system being configured to:

• detect a first operating mode of the vehicle and apply a source torque value associated with the first operating mode and an instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• detect a change in the operating mode of the vehicle from the first operating mode to a second operating mode of the vehicle and select a target torque values associated with the second operating mode and the instant position of the accelerator pedal;
• blend from the first operating mode source torque value to the second operating mode target torque value over time, the system being further adapted to delay blending if the position of the accelerator pedal is substantially unchanging;
• and
• control a source of propulsion of the vehicle to produce the selected or blended torque value.