Driving force control unit for a vehicle

An engine control apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

• a plurality of control modes including at least a first mode having engine output characteristics suitable for normal driving, a second mode having engine output characteristics in which power is suppressed, and a third mode having engine output characteristics in which power is prioritized;
• a selector for selecting one control mode from said plurality of control modes by external manipulation;
• a driving force setting unit for setting a target torque according to said engine output characteristics corresponding to the selected mode based on said vehicle driving condition;
• and
• a shift lever position detector for detecting a shift lever position of a transmission;
• wherein said driving force setting unit changes said control mode to one control mode selected from said plurality of control modes except for the third mode when said shift lever is detected in a position of a reverse range by the shift lever position detector, and sets said target torque according to said engine output characteristics corresponding to the changed mode based on the vehicle driving condition.