Vehicle having key-based performance mode

Abstract

A system or method for controlling a vehicle having a normal operating mode and a performance operating mode include detecting a removable key unique to each vehicle associated with the performance operating mode, operating the vehicle in the performance operating mode in response to detecting the removable key, and operating the vehicle in the normal operating mode otherwise. Operation in performance or track mode may include adjusting valve timing using a variable cam timing device, adjusting idle speed control, adjusting torque response, and/or enhancing engine braking. Performance mode operation may also disable one or more features, such as a transmission skip shift feature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.