ENGINE SOUND GENERATION AS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AID FOR A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

A hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electrical machine operable as a traction motor with a manual transmission arranged between the engine and the driving wheels and a clutch between the engine and the transmission generates an acoustic notification signal to indicate a gear shift that would result in either an excessive or insufficient engine speed. A different acoustic tone may be provided for a gear shift that would result in excessive engine speed than a gear shift that would result in insufficient engine speed. The acoustic notification signal may be a simulated engine noise.