Active coast and cruise control system and methods

An engine control system, comprising:

• a target speed module that determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input;
• and
• a coupling module that:
• controls coupling of an engine system and a transmission system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed when a speed control input device is on;
• when a first position of an accelerator input device is less than a first predetermined value indicative of no driver requested torque and the speed control input device is off, selectively couples and de-couples the engine system and the transmission system based on the vehicle speed;
• couples the engine system with the transmission system when the speed control input device is on, the first position is greater than the first predetermined value, and the first position varies by less than a predetermined amount over a predetermined period;
• and
• couples the engine system with the transmission system when a second position of a brake input device is greater than a second predetermined value,
• wherein the engine system transfers torque to the transmission system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the transmission system when decoupled.