Hybrid vehicle configuration and method of reconfiguring non-hybrid vehicle architecture as hybrid vehicle architecture

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels;
• an engine;
• a transmission having a transmission input member operatively connected to the engine and a transmission output member;
• a transfer case operatively connected to the transmission output member and having a first and a second transfer case torque distribution member each operable to distribute torque from the transmission output member;
• wherein the first transfer case torque distribution member is operatively connected with the front pair of wheels for providing driving torque from the transmission output member to the front pair of wheels;
• a propeller shaft extending from and operatively connected at one portion to the second transfer case distribution member;
• a motor/generator operatively connected to another portion of the propeller shaft and operable to function as a motor and as a generator to provide driving torque to or receive torque from the front pair of wheels via the propeller shaft and the transfer case;
• a battery;
• and
• a power electronics module operatively connected to the battery and for distributing electrical power between the battery and the motor/generator;
• wherein the vehicle is characterized by the absence of any additional motor/generator used to provide vehicle traction.