A torque control system for engines reduces electric power consumption by appropriately avoiding torque application after the engine starts increasing its torque output. The system detects the ignition timing of an engine and initiates motor mode operation of a motor-generator. The motor-generator continuously applies torque to number of ignitions which occur immediately before the engine torque actually starts increasing under the torque increase command, and then initiates generator operation of the motor-generator. Since the motor operation of the motor-generator terminates almost simultaneously with the increase in engine torque, there is no overlap between torque application by the motor-generator and increase torque output of the engine, and effective torque application and savings of battery power can be achieved.