Engine starting control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

An engine starting control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including (a) an engine, (b) an electrically controlled differential portion which has a first electric motor, and a differential mechanism operatively connected to the first electric motor and a differential state of which is controlled by controlling an operating state of the first electric motor, (c) a transmission portion constituting a part of a power transmitting path between the engine and a drive wheel of the hybrid vehicle, and (d) a second electric motor connected to the power transmitting path, said engine starting control apparatus comprising:

• an engine-speed-rise control portion operable during a shifting action of the transmission portion in a motor drive mode of the hybrid vehicle in which the hybrid vehicle is driven by the second electric motor as a vehicle drive power source, without using the engine as a vehicle drive power source, said engine-speed-rise control portion being configured to raise an operating speed of the engine during the shifting action in the motor drive mode.