Hybrid vehicle and associated engine speed control method

A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle comprising:

• modifying a virtual gear in response to activation of an upshift selector;
• and
• controlling an engine and traction motor based on a maximum of a target power and a clipping limit, wherein the target power is a function of an accelerator pedal position and a vehicle speed and the clipping limit is a function of the vehicle speed and the virtual gear, such that
• in a first virtual gear an engine speed is constant as the pedal position varies at a constant vehicle speed, and
• in a second virtual gear the engine speed is less than in the first virtual gear and responds continuously to changes in the pedal position at the constant vehicle speed.

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle, the controller comprising:

• input communication channels that receive a vehicle speed, a position of a driver operated accelerator pedal, and signals indicating operation of a downshift selector and an upshift selector;
• output communication channels configured to control an engine and at least one traction motor;
• and
• control logic configured to
• modify a virtual gear in response to activation of the downshift selector and the upshift selector;
• and
• control the engine and traction motor based on a maximum of a target power and a clipping limit, wherein the target power is a function of the accelerator pedal position and the vehicle speed and the clipping limit is a function of the vehicle speed and the virtual gear, such that
• in a first virtual an engine speed is constant as the accelerator pedal position varies at a constant vehicle speed, and
• both the engine speed and a ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed vary continuously as the vehicle speed varies at a constant accelerator pedal position.

A vehicle comprising:

• a planetary gear set, a first element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to an engine, a second element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to a first electric machine, a third element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to a set of wheels;
• a second electric machine driveably connected to the set of wheels;
• and
• a controller, the controller in communication with the engine, the electric machines, an accelerator pedal, an upshift selector, and a downshift selector, the controller programmed to
• modify a virtual gear in response to activation of the downshift selector and the upshift selector;
• and
• control the engine and first electric machine based on a maximum of a target power and a clipping limit, wherein the target power is a function of the accelerator pedal position and a vehicle speed and the clipping limit is a function of the vehicle speed and the virtual gear, such that
• in a first virtual gear an engine speed is constant as the accelerator pedal position varies at a constant vehicle speed;
• and
• in a second virtual gear the engine speed responds continuously to changes in the accelerator pedal position at the constant vehicle speed.