Patent ID: 7628728

Claim:
A method for controlling a vehicle launch of a vehicle having a powertrain that includes a transmission having an input, a current gear, an input clutch associated with a target gear and an output, an engine and a first electric machine for driving the input, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a desired magnitude of torque to be produced at the transmission output; (b) producing a predetermined magnitude of torque capacity of the input clutch; (c) operating the engine such that a magnitude of torque at the transmission output is substantially equal to the desired transmission output torque; (d) determining desired crankshaft speed and a crankshaft speed error; (e) determining a desired change in torque at the transmission input that will reduce the crankshaft speed error; (f) adjusting a magnitude of torque produced by the first electric machine such that the magnitude of torque at the transmission input is substantially equal to the desired torque at the transmission input; and (g) engaging the input clutch such that no slip occurs between the crankshaft speed and clutch speed.