Hybrid vehicle and associated control method

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle, the controller comprising:

• input communication channels that receive a vehicle speed, a position of a driver operated accelerator pedal, and signals indicating operation of a downshift selector;
• output communication channels configured to control an engine and at least one traction motor;
• and
• control logic configured to
• control the engine and traction motor in an automatic mode to produce a wheel torque based on the pedal position and the vehicle speed;
• and
• increase wheel torque to transition to a select shift mode wherein the wheel torque is based on a driver modifiable virtual gear number, the pedal position, and the vehicle speed.

A vehicle comprising:

• a planetary gear set, a first element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to an engine, a second element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to a first electric machine, a third element of the planetary gear set driveably connected to a set of wheels;
• a second electric machine driveably connected to the set of wheels;
• and
• a controller, the controller in communication with the engine, the electric machines, an accelerator pedal, an upshift selector, and a downshift selector, the controller programmed to
• operate the engine and electric machines in an automatic mode wherein a net torque delivered to the set of wheels varies in response to changes in accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed;
• operate the engine and electric machines in a select shift mode wherein the net torque delivered to the set of wheels also varies in response to a driver modifiable virtual gear number;
• and
• transition from the automatic mode to the select shift mode in response to operation of the downshift selector, the transition including selecting an initial virtual gear number such that net torque delivered to the set of wheels increases relative to the automatic mode.