A hybrid powertrain system of a vehicle , the hybrid powertrain system comprising: a torque provider for providing drive torque to wheels of the vehicle; a hybrid automatic transmission including a launch clutch and an electric motor capable of providing drive torque to the wheels, the hybrid powertrain being free of a torque converter; a transfer case configured to be selectively activated to provide four wheel drive low range gear selection; and a control system configured to control the hybrid powertrain, the control system being configured to: receive a signal indicative of the transfer case being in four wheel drive low range; based on the signal, determine if brake pedal torque is less than a threshold indicative of a brake pedal being released; command engagement of the launch clutch up to maximum creep torque capacity at a predetermined maximum gradient based on determining the brake pedal torque is less than the threshold; determine when the torque provider speed is synchronized with vehicle creep speed; and upon such determination, control the launch clutch to fully engage to a lock up state, in such a way to mimic, when the hybrid powertrain is in low range, the rate of gear engagement of a selected gear of a manual transmission when an associated clutch pedal is released, to thereby substantially eliminate a time lag associated with automatic transmissions having a torque converter or a constantly slipping launch clutch. a torque provider for providing drive torque to wheels of the vehicle; a hybrid automatic transmission including a launch clutch and an electric motor capable of providing drive torque to the wheels, the hybrid powertrain being free of a torque converter; a transfer case configured to be selectively activated to provide four wheel drive low range gear selection; and a control system configured to control the hybrid powertrain, the control system being configured to: receive a signal indicative of the transfer case being in four wheel drive low range; based on the signal, determine if brake pedal torque is less than a threshold indicative of a brake pedal being released; command engagement of the launch clutch up to maximum creep torque capacity at a predetermined maximum gradient based on determining the brake pedal torque is less than the threshold; determine when the torque provider speed is synchronized with vehicle creep speed; and upon such determination, control the launch clutch to fully engage to a lock up state, in such a way to mimic, when the hybrid powertrain is in low range, the rate of gear engagement of a selected gear of a manual transmission when an associated clutch pedal is released, to thereby substantially eliminate a time lag associated with automatic transmissions having a torque converter or a constantly slipping launch clutch. receive a signal indicative of the transfer case being in four wheel drive low range; based on the signal, determine if brake pedal torque is less than a threshold indicative of a brake pedal being released; command engagement of the launch clutch up to maximum creep torque capacity at a predetermined maximum gradient based on determining the brake pedal torque is less than the threshold; determine when the torque provider speed is synchronized with vehicle creep speed; and upon such determination, control the launch clutch to fully engage to a lock up state, in such a way to mimic, when the hybrid powertrain is in low range, the rate of gear engagement of a selected gear of a manual transmission when an associated clutch pedal is released, to thereby substantially eliminate a time lag associated with automatic transmissions having a torque converter or a constantly slipping launch clutch. <EOS>