ELECTRIC VEHICLE LAUNCH CONTROL AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT

A vehicle system for an electrified vehicle, which implements a launch control mode to launch the electrified vehicle with a torque pre-load, includes an electric traction motor configured to selectively provide drive torque to wheels of the vehicle, a thermal system configured to cool the electric traction motor, a brake system to brake one or more of the vehicle wheels, and a controller having one or more processors. The controller is programmed to determine whether one or more vehicle conditions are satisfied, and apply a torque pre-load to the vehicle wheels via the electric traction motor, based on the vehicle conditions being satisfied, while the vehicle is at a standstill by braking the vehicle wheels with the brake system.