Vehicle with engine control system

A vehicle, comprising:

• an engine;
• a transmission;
• a clutch that selectively transmits power between the engine and the transmission;
• an accelerator that is movable by an operator of the vehicle between a closed position and an open position to vary the output of the engine, wherein the accelerator is released when moving toward the closed position;
• an accelerator position sensor that detects a position of the accelerator;
• an electronically-controlled air intake regulation valve that is capable of varying a volume of intake air to the engine and that is responsive to movement of the accelerator;
• a controller in communication with the accelerator position sensor and capable of controlling an output of the engine, wherein the controller initiates a reduction in the output of the engine for an output reduction duration in response to a release of the accelerator above a threshold release rate as determined by signals from the accelerator position sensor.

A method of controlling the output of an engine of a vehicle, comprising:

• detecting a position of an operator-controlled accelerator of the vehicle with an accelerator position sensor;
• determining a release rate of the accelerator based on a change in the position of the accelerator in a direction toward a closed position over a time period;
• predicting a transmission shift without disengagement of a clutch of the vehicle, the prediction based on the release rate being above a threshold release rate over the time period;
• and
• reducing an output of the engine when the shift without disengagement of the clutch is predicted.