Hybrid-electric vehicle with continuously variable transmission

A method of transitioning an all-wheel drive hybrid-electric vehicle between a present operating mode and a target operating mode comprising:

• detecting, via a controller, a request for a change from the present operating mode to the target operating mode, wherein the present operating mode is an electric-only operating mode and the target operating mode is a hybrid operating mode;
• signaling, via the controller, a desired change from the present operating mode to the target operating mode;
• starting a first electric power component to crank an engine of the vehicle;
• determining, via the controller, a desired engine speed and a desired engine torque to generate the desired level of transmission output torque;
• engaging a forward disconnect clutch to selectively couple a continuously variable transmission with a first set of drive wheels, such that the torque from the continuously variable transmission is transferred to the first set of drive wheels;
• and
• powering the vehicle with torque transferred from the continuously variable transmission to a first set of drive wheels and torque transferred from a first electric power component to a second set of drive wheels in the target operating mode.