SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE HAVING A HYBRID POWERTRAIN

A system and method for operating a hybrid vehicle including hybrid powertrain a controller for controlling the hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain includes a motor-generator unit, a battery electrically connected to a motor-generator unit, an engine, and a transmission engageably connected to the engine and the motor-generator unit. The controller is configured to (1) detect if a triggering event occurs, (2) determine if a boost drive mode is enabled, (3) determine a state of charge of the battery, and (4) determine an amount of excess torque or power available from the motor-generator unit. The controller is configured to signal the motor-generator unit to apply additional motor torque to the hybrid powertrain when (1) the triggering event occurs, (2) the boost drive mode is enabled, (3) a state of charge of the battery is above a threshold, and (4) excess torque or power from the motor-generator unit is available.