A drive unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a drive engine, a transmission having an intermediate shaft with intermediate shaft brake, and a friction clutch which is engaged between the engine and the transmission and which, via an electronic control unit, is operated by an operating cylinder. A torque transmitter is provided, which detects input torque to the transmission. The control unit is arranged so as, on predetermined occasions, when the transmission is in the neutral position, the friction clutch is disconnected and the intermediate shaft brake is applied, gradually to engage the friction clutch and to register and store, as a function of the position the operating piston of the operating cylinder, the torque measured by the torque transmitter.