Method of controlling engine output torque

A method of controlling the output torque of an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber to which combustion air is supplied through an air inlet pipe including a throttle valve for controlling the combustion air flow to said combustion chamber, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a desired load value corresponding to a given desired output torque of said engine,
• determining an average air mass flow value required to achieve said desired load value,
• measuring the combustion air mass flow through said air inlet pipe to said combustion chamber,
• correcting said average air mass flow value by compensating for deviations occurring, in dynamic engine operating states, in said measured combustion air mass flow from an actual air mass flow through said inlet pipe to said combustion chamber,
• comparing, at predetermined time intervals, said corrected average air mass flow value with said measured combustion air mass flow value, and
• operating said throttle valve in a mass flow control state so as to reduce to zero any deviation of said measured combustion air mass flow value from said corrected average combustion air mass flow value.