Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method for reducing fuel consumption include upper and lower engine speed limits set based upon whether the state of charge of a battery electrically connected to an electric machine, which may be implemented by an integrated starter-generator is sufficiently high to permit the electric machine to provide a temporary torque boost to an engine of the motor vehicle. If the state of charge of the battery is sufficiently high to permit temporary torque boosting, then the upper and lower engine speed limits are reduced from baseline upper and lower limits to adjusted upper and lower limits to reduce fuel consumption of the engine without adversely affecting NVH.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the fuel used by an engine of a motor vehicle. The method limits the speed at which the engine can rotate when a predefined engine upper speed limit NECOUL for the particular gear in which the motor vehicle is currently operating has been reached or limiting the road speed of the motor vehicle when a predefined vehicle road speed has been reached. The use of engine or road speed limiting combined with the alerting of the driver via an indicator that an upshift is desired to improve fuel economy encourages the driver to execute an upshift when.

Abstract: A method of stopping and starting an engine of a vehicle having a manually operated clutch system including a clutch for driveably connecting the engine to a transmission includes controlling stopping and starting of the engine based on first and second clutch engagement thresholds selected based on whether the clutch is being engaged or disengaged. The first threshold corresponds to a more disengaged state of the clutch than the second threshold. The first threshold is used when the clutch is being disengaged to decide whether the engine can be shut down while the transmission remains in-gear. The second threshold is used when the clutch is being engaged to decide whether the engine can be started while the transmission remains in-gear. By using a less conservative threshold for starting the engine than stopping the engine, the number of inhibited restarts is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for starting an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed having low and high voltage starting devices and controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller is operable to use the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery and facilitate the increased use of automatic stopping and starting of the engine.

Abstract: A method of controlling the stopping and starting of an engine is disclosed in which, during an engine shut-down period, if a signal indicative of a request for restarting the engine is generated, the engine 1000 is restarted if the engine speed (N) is within a predefined speed range and the absolute pressure (MAP) in a manifold of the engine is below a predefined limit MAPlim.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor vehicle having a turbocharged engine is disclosed in which deactivation of cylinders of the engine is controlled to prevent the rotational speed of a turbocharger of the engine falling below a predefined limit TA, TB. Following commencement of a coast down of the motor vehicle all cylinders of the engine are first deactivated so as to maximise energy recuperation from the motor vehicle by a belt integrated starter generator driveably connected to the engine. However, if the speed of the turbocharger reaches one of the speed limits TA, TB at least one cylinder of the engine is reactivated to keep the turbocharger spinning.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine drive belt tensioner system in which the engine is controlled by an engine stop-start system. When the engine stop-start system decides to stop the engine, the engine drive belt tensioner system is operated so as to increase the tension in a respective drive belt to a high level during the engine stop process. This reduces the time taken for the engine to stop and will tend to reduce any tendency for reverse rotation of the engine at the end of the stop phase.

Abstract: A final destination for a vehicle is used to identify a set of parking spaces. One of the parking spaces is selected based at least in part on at least one user parameter and data derived from historical data about the parking spaces. A route to the selected parking space is determined.

Abstract: A belt slip monitor system and method configured to determine whether a belt coupled to a motor-generator is slipping based on operational states of first and second movable portions of the belt slip monitor, wherein the operational states of the first and second movable portions are dependent upon the tension in the belt.

Abstract: A vehicle control system, a surface marking for a surface upon which a vehicle can be positioned and a method of positioning a vehicle is provided. The vehicle control system is configured to position a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a mobile inductive charging point. The vehicle control system comprises one or more parking sensors configured to determine the position of the vehicle relative to a surface upon which the vehicle is positioned and/or obstacles around the vehicle. The one or more parking sensors are further configured to locate a visual indicator indicating the position of a fixed inductive charging point relative to the vehicle, and a parking assistance controller configured to automatically park the vehicle in a parking space on the surface based on data from the one or more parking sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for starting an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle is disclosed having low and high voltage starting devices and controlled by an electronic controller. The electronic controller is operable to use the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery and facilitate the increased use of automatic stopping and starting of the engine.

Abstract: A method for starting and operating an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle following start-up is disclosed for an engine having low and high voltage starting devices, and controlled by an electronic controller. The method comprises using the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery. The method further comprises using the high voltage starting device as a generator after starting the engine if the exhaust gas temperature needs to be increased so as to assist with light-off of one or more exhaust gas after treatment devices.

Abstract: A method of and a system for controlling the regenerative braking of a vehicle includes initiating a regenerative braking mode in response to an initiating control input to an accelerator of the vehicle, the initiating control input comprising a reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator of the vehicle, modifying a level of regenerative braking in the regenerative braking mode in response to at least one of a further reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator, application of a brake of the vehicle, application of a clutch of the vehicle, and a change of gear of the vehicle, and maintaining a modified level of regenerative braking after the additional control input has been terminated.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having an energy storage device that is replenished with energy by inductive coupling with a fixed inductive charging point using a vehicle mounted inductive coupling member. A three dimensional positioning mechanism is used to position the inductive coupling member so that it is aligned with and positioned in close proximity to the fixed charging point thereby ensuring a high coupling efficiency between the inductive coupling member and the fixed charging point. The use of a three dimensional positioning mechanism has the advantage that the inductive coupling member can be positioned accurately without the need to position the motor vehicle accurately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for warning a driver of a motor vehicle of a predicted collision with a stationary object. A proximity sensor is used to determine a position of an obstacle relative to the vehicle. A steering angle of the vehicle is determined and used to predict a trajectory of the vehicle. A collision zone on the vehicle is identified based on the vehicle trajectory, the collision zone being that spot or location on the vehicle which is predicted to contact the obstacle. A visual display within the vehicle (on the control panel, for example) provides a visual indication to the driver of the position of the collision zone on the vehicle and a predicted trajectory of the collision zone as the vehicle moves in accordance with the steering angle.

Abstract: A method of controlling the stopping and starting of an engine is disclosed in which, during an engine shut-down period, if a signal indicative of a request for restarting the engine is generated, the engine 1000 is restarted if the engine speed (N) is within a predefined speed range and the absolute pressure (MAP) in a manifold of the engine is below a predefined limit MAPlim.

Abstract: A method for assisting with the positioning of a motor vehicle for inductive charging of a battery of the motor vehicle comprises reading a number plate associated with the motor vehicle using the number plate information to produce a location on the vehicle of a vehicle inductive coupling point (VICP) with reference to at least one reference point on the motor vehicle, comparing a predicted current position of the VICP to a fixed inductive coupling point (ICP) located in or on a road surface upon which the motor vehicle is to be positioned, and providing feedback to one of the driver and the motor vehicle indicative of the required action required to produce alignment of the VICP with the ICP. The method may further comprise energising the ICP to charge the battery of the motor vehicle when the VICP is predicted to be aligned with the ICP.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine drive belt tensioner system in which the engine is controlled by an engine stop-start system. When the engine stop-start system decides to stop the engine, the engine drive belt tensioner system is operated so as to increase the tension in a respective drive belt to a high level during the engine stop process. This reduces the time taken for the engine to stop and will tend to reduce any tendency for reverse rotation of the engine at the end of the stop phase.