When a power demand Pe* is not less than a preset reference value Pref2 in a vehicle stop state (steps S110 and S260), a target rotation speed Ne* of an engine is set to a rotation speed of not lower than a relatively low minimum rotation speed Nemin2 (step S290). A target timing VT* is set according to the set target rotation speed Ne* to have a smaller degree of advance, compared with the setting of the target timing VT* in an engine operating state for driving the vehicle (step S300). The engine is accordingly driven at the target rotation speed Ne* with an open-close operation of an intake valve at the target timing VT*. Such drive control effectively reduces the driver's uncomfortable feeling or odd feeling triggered by operation of the engine at a relatively high rotation speed in the vehicle stop state. The drive control also ensures the better open-close timing of the intake valve according to the operating condition of the engine and enables more appropriate control of a variable valve timing mechanism configured to adjust the open-close timing of the intake valve.