Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine, an electric motor, a clutch K0 disposed in a power transmitting path between the engine and the electric motor, and a transmission of a step-variable type disposed in a power transmitting path between said electric motor and drive wheels, wherein:

• said control apparatus comprises a processor and a memory storing a computer readable and executable instruction set which is executed by the processor to:
• increase an operating speed of said engine in a slipping state of said clutch K0 to complete a start of said engine when an operating state of said clutch K0 is changed from the slipping state into a fully engaged state;
• when said engine is started while said transmission is selected to perform a shift-down action, the control apparatus holds a hydraulic pressure of a releasing side clutch of said transmission at a predetermined lowest stand-by value to prevent a slipping action of said releasing side clutch while said clutch K0 is in the slipping state when said engine is started while said transmission is selected to perform said shift-down action;
• and
• when said engine is started while said transmission is selected to perform the shift-down action, reduce the hydraulic pressure of said releasing side clutch from said predetermined lowest stand-by value at which the hydraulic pressure is held in the slipping state of said clutch K0, after said clutch K0 has been placed in the fully engaged state.