The invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion
engine that relies for operation, in at least one operational range of the
engine, on the autoignition of an at least almost homogeneous fuel-air
mixture, the combustion being measured and at least one parameter for the
combustion in the next cycle being set in function of a signal obtained
from this measurement. In order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
and to achieve direct conversion of the load requirements, there is
provided that the four cycle internal combustion engine relies for
operation, in at least one second operational range, on the spark ignition
of an at least almost homogeneous fuel-air mixture and that the combustion
event is controlled, both in the first and in the second operational range
of the engine, largely independent of the torque of the internal
combustion engine.
