Control system and method for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine

The control circuit for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine (1) allows operation of some or all of the cylinders. It has a first computer (21, B1-B3) for calculating, during part cylinder operation, a target air/fuel quantity per cylinder to allow torque equal to full cylinder operation. A second computer (21,B4-B6) calculates a throttle valve target opening area during part cylinder operation from the target intake air quantity per operating cylinder. An independent claim includes a method for operating the engine.