Variable power outlet and maximum speed in drive mode

A system for providing multiple acceleration characteristics to a vehicle comprising:

• a pedal configured to be positioned between a first position corresponding to a low power request and a second position corresponding to a high power request;
• a pedal sensor configured to detect a current position of the pedal;
• an input device configured to receive a request to switch a drive mode among a first drive mode, a second drive mode or a third drive mode;
• a power source configured to generate power;
• and
• an engine control unit (ECU) coupled to the pedal sensor, the input device, and the power source and configured to control the power source to provide a greater acceleration rate when the drive mode is the second drive mode and the current position of the pedal is a third position that is between the first position and the second position than when the drive mode is the first drive mode and the current position of the pedal is the third position,
• wherein a relationship between positions of the pedal and acceleration provided by the power source is non-linear for at least one of the first drive mode or the second drive mode, the power source providing the same limited maximum power output when the pedal is positioned at the second position and the drive mode is the first drive mode as when the pedal is positioned at the second position and the drive mode is the second drive mode, the same limited maximum power output being less than a maximum power output when the pedal is positioned at the second position and the drive mode is the third drive mode.

A method for controlling power output of a vehicle comprising:

• determining, by an engine control unit (ECU), a current position of an accelerator pedal between an at-rest position corresponding to a minimum power request and a maximum displacement position corresponding to a maximum power request;
• receiving, via an input device, a selection of a sport drive mode, a normal drive mode or an Eco drive mode;
• and
• controlling, by the ECU, a motor of the vehicle to generate more power when the normal drive mode is selected and the current position of the accelerator pedal is a third position that is between the at-rest position and the maximum displacement position than when the Eco drive mode is selected and the current position of the accelerator pedal is the third position,
• wherein a relationship between positions of the accelerator pedal and power output by the motor is non-linear for at least one of the Eco drive mode or the normal drive mode, wherein the motor of the vehicle generates the same limited maximum power when the accelerator pedal is positioned at the maximum displacement position and the normal drive mode is selected as when the accelerator pedal is positioned at the maximum displacement position and the Eco drive mode is selected, the same limited maximum power being less than a maximum power when the accelerator pedal is positioned at the maximum displacement position and the sport drive mode is selected.