Patent ID: 7801654

Claim:
A powertrain controller for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle load estimation module that generates a vehicle load index; an adaptive power demand module that includes N mappings from pedal position to power demand, that selects one of the N mappings based upon the vehicle load index, and that determines a power demand signal based upon a received pedal position signal and the selected one of the N mappings, wherein N is an integer greater than one; a throttle map module that includes P mappings from speed to throttle control, that selects one of the P mappings based upon the power demand signal, and that determines a throttle control signal based upon a received speed signal and the selected one of the P mappings, wherein P is an integer greater than one; and a transmission gearshift map module that includes Q mappings from vehicle speed to gear selection, that selects one of the Q mappings based upon the power demand signal, and that determines a gear control signal based upon a received vehicle speed signal and the selected one of the Q mappings, wherein Q is an integer greater than one.