A control device and method are configured to actuate a clutch between a drive unit and at least one driven wheel of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car. The control device at least partially engages the clutch differently in dependence on a distance of the motor vehicle from an environment and/or a change of this distance.

A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device adapted to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels. The vehicle control system disconnects the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast. The vehicle control system is comprised of: a means detecting a vehicle speed; a means detecting an operation of an accelerator by a driver; a means detecting a braking operation of the driver; an execution means executing a coasting control when an operating amount of the accelerator is reduced to be smaller than a predetermined value during running, by bringing the clutch device into disengagement to disconnect the power transmission route so as to allow the vehicle to coast; a determination means determining whether or not a deceleration demand of the driver is larger than a predetermined value during execution of the coasting control based on the vehicle speed and the braking operation; and a termination means determining a fact that the deceleration demand is strong if the deceleration demand is larger than the predetermined value, and that terminates the coasting control by bringing the clutch device into engagement to connect the power transmission route.

A clutch control system mitigates driveline shock loads in a vehicle. The clutch control system has 1) A friction clutch capable of transitioning between a fully open, a partially open, and a fully closed position; 2) A control unit configured to receive vehicle data, wherein the vehicle data comprises current engine torque, and define one or more operational modes of the friction clutch, wherein the one or more operational modes comprise a driveline protection mode defined by having an operating range between the fully open position and an effectively closed position of the clutch, wherein the effectively closed position is a partially open position having a torque capacity that exceeds the current engine torque, thereby preventing clutch slip at the effectively closed position; and 3) A clutch actuator configured to operate the clutch in accordance with the one or more operational modes, including the driveline protection mode.