Vehicle control system and method

A vehicle comprising a control system and a transmission, the control system comprising a first user-operable transmission selector for selecting a forward operating mode of the transmission corresponding to travel in a forward direction and a reverse operating mode of the transmission corresponding to travel in a reverse direction opposite the forward direction, the control system comprising:

• a user-operable gear selector operable in a first functional mode to, upon receipt of a user input, select between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios,
• the control system configured to, when each of a first set of one or more predetermined conditions is met, enable operation of the user-operable gear selector in a second functional mode where, upon receipt of a user input, the user-operable gear selector is operable to select between the forward operating mode and the reverse operating mode, and wherein
• if the vehicle is in the second functional mode and the transmission is in a predetermined one of a predetermined set of transmission operating modes that comprises at least the forward and reverse operating modes, the control system is configured to assume a standby condition when one or more of a second set of predetermined conditions are met, said second set of predetermined conditions comprising:
• receipt of a signal indicative of a driver request to exit the second functional mode while the vehicle is moving;
• a speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined upper limit speed;
• the vehicle remains substantially stationary for longer than a predetermined time-out period;
• and
• the user-operable gear selector has not been operated for longer than the predetermined time-out period.

A method of controlling a motor vehicle having a transmission, the method implemented by a control system, the method comprising:

• allowing selection of a forward operating mode of the transmission corresponding to travel in a forward direction and a reverse operating mode of the transmission corresponding to travel in a reverse direction opposite the forward direction by means of a first user-operable transmission selector,
• the method comprising in a first functional mode, upon receipt of a user input via a first user-operable gear selector, selecting between a plurality of forward direction gear ratios,
• the method further comprising, when each of a first set of one or more predetermined conditions is met, enabling operation of the user-operable gear selector in a second functional mode and wherein, upon receipt of a user input, the user-operable gear selector is operable to select between the forward operating mode and the reverse operating mode, and wherein
• if the vehicle is in the second functional mode and the transmission is in a predetermined one of a predetermined set of transmission operating modes that comprises at least the forward and reverse operating modes, the method comprises assuming a standby condition when one or more of a second set of predetermined conditions are met, said second set of predetermined conditions comprising:
• receiving a signal indicative of a driver request to exit the second functional mode while the vehicle is moving;
• a speed of the vehicle exceeding a predetermined upper limit speed;
• the vehicle remaining substantially stationary for longer than a predetermined time-out period;
• and
• the user-operable gear selector has not been operated for longer than the predetermined time-out period.