Method for a torque-based control of an internal combustion engine

In a method for a torque-based control of an internal combustion engine wherein from an input value representing a desired engine power output a desired torque value is calculated, then the desired torque value is converted using a performance graph while taking another value into consideration to a first power output determining signal, which is then corrected by way of a relative efficiency and a power determining signal for controlling the drive torque is determined. The additional value corresponds to a relative friction moment, which is calculated from an actual deviation of the state of the engine from a standard state in which the relative friction moment is zero.