METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

An internal combustion engine (1), especially for a motor vehicle, is described. The engine is provided with an injection valve (8) with which fuel can be injected directly into a combustion chamber (4) in a first operating mode during a compression phase or in a second mode of operation during an induction phase. A control apparatus (16) is provided for switching over between the two modes of operation and for the different control (open loop and/or closed loop) in the two modes of operation of the operating variables, which influence the outputted torque of the engine (1), in dependence upon a requested torque (mi). The fuel mass, which is to be injected in the first mode of operation, can be determined by the control apparatus (16) in dependence upon the operating parameters of the engine (1) which form the basis of the injections of the second operating mode.