Abstract: In lean operation of internal combustion engines having externally supplied ignition, improvement in terms of fuel consumption and emissions are obtained if the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. Because the gas exchange guide cross sections are large, the space available for installing the injection valve and spark plug is very limited, and disruptions in the course of combustion occur when the injection valve and ignition device are too far apart. By developing a fuel injection valve that has wire electrodes on the injection end to serve as an ignition device, the spark gap arcing over in the vicinity of the fuel introduced by the injection valve, optimal ignition conditions are attained even for poorly ignited fuels or when the proportion of fuel in the combustion chamber charge is extremely low (stratified charge operation).