Power output apparatus and hybrid vehicle

摘要

An idle rotation speed Nid 1 of an engine is set to increase with an increase in actual vehicle speed V and with an increase in measured temperature Tb of a battery (step S 160 ). The drive control of the invention controls the engine and two motors to idle the engine at the preset idle rotation speed Nid 1 and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to a torque demand Tr* to a drive shaft within a range between an input limit Win and an output limit Wout of the battery (steps S 190 to S 230 ). Such control enables the engine to have a high following capability and promptly change its output power level in response to a change in power demand P*, which is accompanied by an abrupt variation in torque demand Tr*. The technique of the invention thus desirably reduces the required level of charging or discharging of the battery, which is triggered by a response delay of the engine.