Rolling start launch control

A method performed by a control system of a vehicle,

• the vehicle comprising:
• a plurality of wheels;
• a powertrain for providing torque to a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels, the powertrain comprising a spark-ignited internal combustion engine for igniting a volume of combustion mixture and an exhaust system arranged to convey exhaust gases and residual combustion mixture from the internal combustion engine;
• an electric motor;
• and
• a launch control having an inactive mode during which the powertrain operates under a first set of operating conditions and an active mode during which the powertrain operates under a second set of operating conditions,
• the method comprising:
• receiving a first signal indicative of the launch control entering the active mode and in response to receiving the first signal, commanding the powertrain to operate under the second set of operating conditions in which:
• the electric motor outputs a negative torque;
• and
• the internal combustion engine outputs an augmented torque which counteracts the negative torque output by the electric motor such that the vehicle travels at a constant speed.