Patent ID: 6896639

Claim:
A vehicle drive train comprising: an engine; a continuously variable transmission comprising a pair of pulleys that are mutually connected via a belt, wherein the continuously variable transmission varies torque transmitted between the pulleys via the belt according to a supplied oil pressure; a clutch which connects the engine to one of the pair of pulleys by engaging in accordance with a supplied oil pressure, wherein the oil pressure is supplied to the clutch and continuously variable transmission from an identical oil pressure source; a drive wheel connected to the other of the pair of pulleys; and an engine output regulating mechanism which reduces an output torque of the engine when the clutch is engaged, wherein the clutch is engaged by changing over a shift lever of the vehicle from a neutral range to a drive range, and wherein the engine output regulating mechanism further comprises a sensor which detects a change-over of the shift lever from a neutral range to a drive range, a sensor which detects a travel speed of the vehicle, and a programmable controller programmed to reduce the output torque of the engine when the shift lever is shifted from the neutral range to the drive range while the vehicle is traveling at or above a predetermined speed.