Method of controlling continuously variable transmission in combination with engine throttle control

A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission coupled to an output shaft of an engine having a throttle valve and mounted on a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, said method being employed when said accelerator pedal is released to substantially close a throttle opening of said engine, comprising the steps of:

• detecting an actual speed of the motor vehicle and a rate of change of an accelerator pedal depression;
• determining a target engine braking output power based on said actual speed and said rate of change, and according to a predetermined relation among said target engine braking output power, said actual speed, and said rate of change;
• determining an actual engine output power;
• establishing a time-dependent engine output power changing curve for varying said actual engine output power to said target engine braking output opwer therealong, based on a difference between the target engine braking output power and the actual engine output power;
• determining a target rate of change of a rotational speed of the engine and a target rate of change of an engine load so that the actual engine output power varies along said time-dependent engine output power changing curve;
• and
• controlling the throttle valve and the continuously variable transmission based on said target rates.