A method for accelerating a motor vehicle having multiple torque sources including a first torque source and a second torque source that each provide a torque output in order to simulate a single torque source engine. The method includes determining an acceleration request. The acceleration request is compared to a data store of target torque outputs associated with torque output from the single torque source engine. A target torque output based on the acceleration request is selected. The torque output from the first torque source is increased to the target torque output if the first torque source can meet the target torque output. The combined torque output from the first and second torque sources is increased to the target torque output if the first torque source cannot meet the target torque output.