Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the drive means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce a value of one or more prescribed operating parameters, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the drive means is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means, the vehicle comprising means for detecting departure of the driver from the vehicle, in the event that departure of the driver is detected when the vehicle is in the eco-stop condition the vehicle being arranged not to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle comprising actuator operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle being operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the actuator thereby to reduce an amount of time the actuator is on, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by a driver-operated brake in which the vehicle is held stationary and the actuator is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to perform an eco-start operation in which the actuator is restarted when the driver releases the brake, wherein when an eco-start is performed the vehicle is arranged automatically to be held stationary by the brake whilst the actuator is restarted, if the actuator fails to restart the vehicle being further arranged automatically to assume a failed start condition in which the vehicle continues to be held stationary.

Abstract: Illustrative example embodiments provide a motor vehicle including an actuator means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle. The vehicle is operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the actuator means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce an amount of time the actuator means is on during a given drivecycle. The vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the actuator means is off, The vehicle. is operable automatically to perform an eco-start operation in which the actuator means is restarted when the driver signals release of the brake means. When an eco-start is performed the vehicle is arranged automatically to continue to be held stationary by means of the brake means while the actuator means is restarted. If the actuator means fails to restart, the vehicle is arranged automatically to assume a failed start condition in which the vehicle continues to be held stationary.