Method of operating an internal combustion engine in an engine warm-up phase

In a method of operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle during an engine warm-up phase, the engine having a cylinder including a piston defining in the cylinder a combustion chamber, wherein fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in a pilot injection, a main injection and, selectively, a post-injection, and during the heat-up phase of the engine, the center position of the combustion is retarded relative to a center position of the combustion in the normal engine operating mode in order to more rapidly heat the engine and the coolant in the engine cooling circuit for rapid heating of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.