Fixed speed operation in a hybrid transmission including sport and economy modes

1. A method of operating a hybrid transmission, comprising the steps of:

controlling the transmission according to a drive mode, which includes a continuously variable speed relationship; and

controlling the transmission according to automatic and manual fixed speed relationships modes, which include a plurality of fixed speed relationships including mechanical gear ratios and virtual gear relationships;

receiving a driver request for transmission operation in one of an Economy or a Sport mode; and

operating the transmission in the requested Economy or Sport modes; and

wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and operating according to a Sport torque reserve when the Sport mode is requested, which is different from a default torque reserve of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating step includes:

placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and shifting between the plurality of fixed speed relationships according to a Sport shift schedule different from a default shift schedule of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating step includes:

placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and shifting between the plurality of fixed speed relationships according to an Economy shift schedule different from a default shift schedule of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating step includes:

placing the transmission into the drive mode and adjusting the continuously variable speed relationship according to an Economy speed relationship program different from a default speed relationship program of the drive mode.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the Sport mode torque reserve is larger than a torque reserve of the Economy mode.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein during operation in the Sport mode, operating the transmission according to a Sport shift schedule that shifts between the plurality of fixed speed relationships in a manner that optimizes powertrain torque output.

7. A method of operating a hybrid transmission, comprising the steps of:

controlling the transmission according to a drive mode, which includes a continuously variable speed relationship; and

controlling the transmission according to automatic and manual fixed speed relationships modes, which include a plurality of fixed speed relationships including mechanical gear ratios and virtual gear relationships;

receiving a driver request for transmission operation in one of an Economy or a Sport mode; and

operating the transmission in the requested Economy or Sport modes; and

wherein the operating step includes:

placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and operating according to an Economy torque reserve when the Economy mode is requested, which is different from a default torque reserve of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the operating step includes changing the transmission from the automatic fixed relationships mode into the drive mode and adjusting the continuously variable speed relationship according to an Economy speed relationship program different from a default speed relationship program of the drive mode.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and shifting between the plurality of fixed speed relationships according to an Economy shift schedule different from a default shift schedule of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the drive mode and adjusting the continuously variable speed relationship according to an Economy speed relationship program different from a default speed, relationship program of the drive mode.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the Economy mode torque reserve is smaller than a torque reserve of the Sport mode.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein during operation in the Economy mode, operating the transmission according to an Economy shift schedule or speed relationship program that adjusts transmission speed in a manner that minimizes fuel and electrical power usage.

13. A method of operating a hybrid transmission, comprising the steps of:

controlling the transmission according to a drive mode, which includes a continuously variable speed relationship; and

controlling the transmission according to automatic and manual fixed speed relationships modes, which include a plurality of fixed speed relationships including mechanical gear ratios and virtual gear relationships;

receiving a driver request for transmission operation in one of an Economy or a Sport mode; and

operating the transmission in the requested Economy or Sport modes; and

wherein the operating step includes:

placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and operating according to one or the other of Sport or Economy torque reserves, which are different from one another and from a default torque reserve of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and shifting between the plurality of fixed speed relationships according to a Sport shift schedule different from a default shift schedule of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and shifting between the plurality of fixed speed relationships according to an Economy shift schedule different from a default shift schedule of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the drive made and adjusting the continuously variable speed relationship according to an Economy speed relationship program different from a default speed relationship program of the drive mode.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the operating step includes placing the transmission into the automatic fixed relationships mode and operating according to a Sport torque reserve, which is different from a default torque reserve of the automatic fixed relationships mode.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the Sport mode torque reserve is larger than the Economy mode torque reserve.