Vehicle charging system

An enhanced charging system for a motor vehicle includes an alternator (14), a voltage regulator (16), and an engine controller (18). The voltage regulator and engine controller are connected by two circuits (28,30). One (28) of the circuits (28,30) provides the engine controller (18) with a measure of the torque about to be applied to the engine by the alternator (14). The other circuit (30) allows the engine controller (18) to command the target voltage at which the voltage regulator (16) is to control the alternator (14). The engine controller determines the target voltage based on intake air temperature, a measure of the temperature of the air at the intake of the engine. The engine controller then modifies the target voltage based on (1) whether the throttle of the engine is near wide-open-throttle; (2) whether the brakes of the vehicle are applied; and (3) whether the alternator is about to apply an increased torque to the engine.