A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.

A vehicle control device includes an engine, a starter for starting the engine, a transmission for transmitting power of the engine to a driving wheel, an oil pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the transmission according to the power of the engine, an accumulator for accumulating the hydraulic pressure ejected from the oil pump, and an electromagnetic on-off valve for controlling the hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator. When the engine is restarted after the engine has stopped, an ECU of the vehicle control device opens the electromagnetic on-off valve at the time a line pressure has become equal to or higher than a predetermined hydraulic pressure after the start of the starter, and supplies the hydraulic pressure accumulated in the accumulator to respective portions of the transmission.