A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to prevent a reduction in the purifying performance of the catalyst in a predetermined operating mode. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle can be selected from a first hybrid vehicle mode, a second hybrid vehicle mode, and a fixed mode. A controller that is configured to restrict a shifting operation between the first hybrid vehicle mode and the second hybrid vehicle mode via the fixed mode, when the purifying device is being warmed or the purifying device has to be warmed.

Systems and methods for using autonomous vehicle assistance for freeing a vehicle from a stuck condition may include: receiving sensor data from a vehicle sensor indicating a condition of the vehicle; determining from the sensor data that the vehicle is in a stuck condition; obtaining a solution for freeing the vehicle from the stuck condition, wherein the technique is a learned solution developed based on collected data related to vehicle operator techniques for extrication; and taking over at least partial control of the vehicle from its operator and applying the learned technique to the vehicle.

A hybrid driving apparatus is provided which enables a driver to sufficiently enjoy a driving feeling of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine. A hybrid driving apparatus includes an internal combustion engine that drive main driving wheels, a motive power transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force to the main driving wheels, a main driving electric motor driving the main driving wheels, an accumulator, sub-driving electric motors transmitting motive power to sub-driving wheels of the vehicle, and a control apparatus executing an electric motor traveling mode and an internal combustion engine traveling mode. The control apparatus causes the internal combustion engine to generate the driving force, the internal combustion engine is a flywheel-less engine, and the control apparatus causes the main driving electric motor to generate a torque for maintaining idling of the internal combustion engine in the internal combustion engine traveling mode.

A vehicle control device is provided, which includes a depression amount detector configured to detect a depression amount of an accelerator pedal, a processor configured to execute a reaction force setting module to set a reaction force of the accelerator pedal based on a detection result of the depression amount detector, a reaction force applying part configured to apply the reaction force to the accelerator pedal based on a setting result of the reaction force setting module, and an operation amount detector configured to detect an operation amount of a driver's foot on the accelerator pedal. The reaction force setting module sets a reaction force value of the accelerator pedal for a depression characteristic and a counter-depression characteristic. The reaction force setting module includes a reaction force correcting module configured to reduce the reaction force value of the counter-depression characteristic as the detected operation amount increases.

An electric vehicle includes a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller is capable of switching a traveling mode of the electric vehicle between a first traveling mode and a second traveling mode that applies driving-force maps for enhancing a rough-road capability from a rough-road capability in the first traveling mode. The vehicle controller is capable of switching the traveling mode to the second traveling mode in forward traveling and in backward traveling and is configured to apply, to the backward traveling in the second traveling mode, a first driving-force map of the driving-force maps, the first driving-force map having gentler characteristics than a second driving-force map of the driving-force map applied to the forward traveling in the second traveling mode.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a four-wheel drive powertrain of a vehicle. In one example, a method may comprise: in response to a desired shift from a four-wheel drive mode to a two wheel-drive mode: decreasing a transfer case torque output to a secondary driveline to a lower first level and disengaging a disconnect device of the secondary driveline; increasing the transfer case torque output from the lower first level to a higher second level over a duration; and after the duration, reducing the transfer case torque.

A device and method for a controlled deceleration based on a selected vehicle driving mode are disclosed, in which upon sensing a deceleration of a vehicle, a plurality of deceleration control signals based on a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode are produced. At least one of the plurality of deceleration control signals are transmitted to prompt a controlled deceleration of the vehicle to correspond with a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode. The method receives sensor data relating to the deceleration of the vehicle, and compares at least some of the sensor data with the deceleration target to generate a deceleration feedback signal. The method provides for adjusting the plurality of deceleration control signals based on the deceleration feedback signal to effect the controlled deceleration.

A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain including an engine and a motor operable to propel the vehicle includes reducing a torque of the motor at a first torque reduction rate from a torque level above a minimum motor torque in response to a deceleration request. A torque of the engine is reduced at a second torque reduction rate less than the first torque reduction rate in response to the deceleration request.

A control system for hybrid vehicle for extending a possible travelling distance of the vehicle in the event of clutch failure is provided. The control system is configured to select a first drive mode in which the vehicle is powered by an engine in case an estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in trouble is larger than a first threshold value, and to select a second drive mode in which the vehicle is powered by a motor in case the estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in trouble is smaller than the first threshold value. The control system is further configured to reduce an engine torque to be smaller than the estimated torque transmitting capacity of the clutch in case the first drive mode is selected.

A device and method for a controlled deceleration based on a selected vehicle driving mode are disclosed, in which upon sensing a deceleration of a vehicle, a plurality of deceleration control signals based on a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode are produced. At least one of the plurality of deceleration control signals are transmitted to prompt a controlled deceleration of the vehicle to correspond with a deceleration target for the selected vehicle driving mode. The method receives sensor data relating to the deceleration of the vehicle, and compares at least some of the sensor data with the deceleration target to generate a deceleration feedback signal. The method provides for adjusting the plurality of deceleration control signals based on the deceleration feedback signal to effect the controlled deceleration.