Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle

A hybrid vehicle comprising:

• an engine mounted on the vehicle;
• an electric motor directly connected to a shaft of the engine, said electric motor having both driving and power-generating functions;
• a starter motor for use in starting said engine and controllable by operation of a key;
• and
• a motor controller for executing automatic start-up/stop control of said engine, initial start-up of said engine occurring in response to operation of said key for controlling said starter motor and by said motor controller sensing operation of said key and controlling said electric motor,
• wherein, when said motor controller executes startup/stop control to stop said engine and said engine remains stopped, as a subsequent engine restart operation begins, if a start-up condition is satisfied the motor controller controls only the electric motor to restart the engine, and if the start-up condition is not satisfied the motor controller outputs an engine activation signal to drive the starter motor and controls driving of the electric motor to restart the engine.