A method is provided for the anticipatory starting of a heat engine in a hybrid power train that includes at least a heat engine, a traction electric machine and an automatic transmission transmitting the drive power to the wheels of the vehicle in at least one initial state of the drive train of same in which the traction machine alone provides the traction of the vehicle and the heat engine is switched off, and at least one other target state in which the heat engine provides tractive power. The method involves sending, to the heat engine, an anticipatory starting request depending on the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle and the starting time of same, before each change of state of the drive train between an initial state not requiring a started heat engine, and a target state requiring same to be started.