Controller and method

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle controller comprising data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus comprising: means for receiving a surface friction signal indicative of a coefficient of friction between a road wheel and a driving surface; means for receiving an accelerator position signal indicative of a position of an accelerator control with respect to an allowable range of positions; means for determining a powertrain torque limit value corresponding to an amount of powertrain torque at which slip of a driving wheel is expected to exceed a predetermined amount, the powertrain torque limit value being determined at least in part in dependence on the surface friction signal; and means for determining and outputting a powertrain torque demand signal corresponding to an instant amount of torque to be developed by a powertrain, the powertrain torque demand signal being determined in dependence at least in part on the accelerator position signal according to a predetermined relationship, the controller being configured such that when the powertrain torque demand signal is in the region of the powertrain torque limit value the relationship between powertrain torque demand signal and accelerator position signal is modified relative to the predetermined relationship such that the response of the powertrain torque demand signal to the accelerator position signal is reduced.