Abstract: An internal combustion engine may have an intake valve device. A sudden load variation may be carried out in which a torque provided by the internal combustion engine is increased from a first value to a second value which is higher than the first value. While the sudden load variation is being carried out, the intake valve device may be operated according to an operating method different from the second operating method and is thereby closed later than in the second operating method. After the sudden load variation has been carried out, and while the internal combustion engine provides the torque having the second value after the sudden load variation has been carried out, the internal combustion engine may be switched over from the first operating method different from the second operating method to the second operating method.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may have an intake valve device. A sudden load variation may be carried out in which a torque provided by the internal combustion engine is increased from a first value to a second value which is higher than the first value. While the sudden load variation is being carried out, the intake valve device may be operated according to an operating method different from the second operating method and is thereby closed later than in the second operating method. After the sudden load variation has been carried out, and while the internal combustion engine provides the torque having the second value after the sudden load variation has been carried out, the internal combustion engine may be switched over from the first operating method different from the second operating method to the second operating method.