A control valve 
assembly (43) for use in a 
system in which a pump-
motor unit (35) can either receive drive torque from a drive-line (17) or transmit torque thereto. The 
system includes a 
high pressure accumulator (41) and the control valve 
assembly is disposed between the pump-
motor unit and the accumulator, and includes a mode valve (45) normally biased closed by pressure in a control cavity (89), the 
fluid pressure in which is controlled by a 
pilot valve 
assembly (49) in response to an electrical 
signal (133). A step-orifice valve (47) associated with the mode valve poppet member (79) provides a relatively larger orifice (115) into the control cavity (89) when pressure therein is high, and a relatively smaller orifice (119) into the control cavity when pressure therein is low, i.e., when the 
pilot valve assembly (49) is open. Thus, a large volume of flow can occur from the accumulator to the unit (35) in a motoring mode, with a relatively low pressure drop, while the poppet member is able to have softer, relatively longer opening time, but a relatively faster closing time.