Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the drive performance of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine with spark ignition. A set torque is determined on the basis of a desired torque which is input by the driver, and possibly additional desired torque requirements. The desired torque is achieved by influencing the load and/or the ignition angle. For this purpose, the invention distinguishes between three operating states. In a first operating state, the torque is adjusted with optimum efficiency by load regulation; in a second operating state the torque adjustment is made as rapidly as possible by an additional ignition angle adjustment. Finally, in the third operating state the torque specification for load regulation is established and the remaining torque adjustment is made by an additional ignition angle adjustment.