Engine sound generation as transmission shifting aid for a hybrid electric vehicle

A vehicle comprising:

• an engine;
• a manual transmission coupled to the engine by a clutch;
• an electric machine operable as a traction motor;
• a speaker;
• and
• a controller configured to generate an audio signal for the speaker when the clutch is open and the electric machine is operating as a traction motor in response to engine speed of the engine being above a first threshold or being below a second threshold, wherein the engine speed is based on a selected gear of the manual transmission and rotational speed of the electric machine.

A vehicle comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• an electric machine operable to drive the vehicle;
• a manual transmission having an input coupled to the internal combustion engine by a clutch and an output coupled to vehicle driving wheels;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• detect whether the clutch is open;
• detect an engaged gear of the manual transmission;
• detect an operating parameter of the electrical machine while operating as a traction motor to drive the vehicle;
• and
• generate a notification signal in response to a gear shift resulting in engine speed being outside a specified range, wherein the engine speed is based on the operating parameter of the electrical machine and the engaged gear of the manual transmission.