HYBRID VEHICLE ENGINE START USING CLUTCHES OF DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION

A hybrid electric vehicle includes: a dual clutch transmission having first and second sub-transmissions having respective first and second clutches and first and second synchronizers, and an electric motor rotationally coupled to the second sub-transmission for common rotation therewith; and a control system including a hybrid controller and a transmission controller with the HCP being a supervisory controller, wherein the control system is configured to execute an engine clutch start procedure using the electric motor, and wherein the procedure eliminates hard vehicle speed limits, provides smooth wheel torque during the procedure, and increases a number of transmission gears available for the procedure.