PROPULSION SYSTEM CONTROL WITH MPC

A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate first and second predicted actual axle torques and first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates based on first and second sets of possible command values, respectively. The sets of possible command values include commanded engine output torques and commanded transmission ratios. First and second costs are determined for the first and second sets of possible command values, respectively, based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, the first and second predicted actual axle torques, respectively, the first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates, respectively, an axle torque requested, an engine output torque requested, a transmission ratio requested, and a fuel consumption rate requested. One of the first and second sets of possible command values is selected and set based on the lower cost.