Motor vehicle and control method of motor vehicle

Abstract

In response to a downshift operation (step S) in a moving motor vehicle under an accelerator released state, a torque demand correction value Tα(T) is set to give the greater torque variation against the lower speed in a downshifting gear position and against the higher vehicle speed V, until elapse of a preset time period since the downshift operation (step S). A torque demand Tr* to be output to a drive shaft of the motor vehicle is updated by adding the torque demand correction value Tα(T) to a previous setting of the torque demand Tr* (step S). A motor is controlled to decelerate the motor vehicle with the updated torque demand Tr*. The torque variation thus attained is equivalent to a temporary torque variation applied to the drive shaft with a variation in rotation speed of an engine in response to a downshift operation in a conventional motor vehicle equipped with a stepped automatic transmission for torque conversion of the output power of the engine. The arrangement of the invention thus enables the driver of the motor vehicle to have the improved gearshift feeling.