a powertrain assembly for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine , transmission , electric induction motor , a clutch for connecting and releasing the engine and transmission , and a controller for controlling the state of engagement and disengagement of the clutch and the torque produced by the motor during the launch . the engine increases torque produced by the induction motor during a vehicle launch condition , permitting the engine to be turned off when the vehicle is at rest . the torque multiplication that would normally be available from a hydrokinetic torque converter is replaced with auxiliary launch torque supplied by the induction motor .