Patent ID: 8783395

Claim:
A method for starting an internal combustion engine in a hybrid sports vehicle that is driven by an electric motor, comprising: providing a driver operable selector switch for selecting one of a gentle engine starting mode and a predetermined sports car engine noise mode; using an engine control unit to determine when driving dynamics require the internal combustion engine to supplement the electric motor; starting the internal combustion engine when the engine control unit determines driving dynamics require the internal combustion engine; adjusting a speed of the internal combustion engine to a target speed corresponding to a speed of the electric motor when the driver operable selector switch is in the gentle engine starting mode; adjusting the speed of the internal combustion engine to a sports car engine noise mode speed that exceeds the target speed of the internal combustion engine over a predetermined time by a predetermined speed differential while simultaneously decreasing a coupling strength of a clutch between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the driver operable selector switch is in the sports car engine noise mode for generating a speed overswing, and thereby producing a predetermined acoustical characteristic as a function of the speed overswing; and reducing the internal combustion engine speed to the target speed after a predetermined time of operating with the predetermined acoustical characteristic and then increasing the coupling strength of the clutch between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor.