In order to improve a process for increasing the torque of an internal combustion engine burning a fuel by means of an oxidizing agent and comprising at least one cylinder and an induction system, in which the mass flow of the gaseous oxidizing agent into the cylinder or cylinders is increased, as well as an internal combustion engine such that the torque of the internal combustion engine is increased at any rotational speed to a greater extent than with known passive pressure-charging processes, it is suggested to make a charging mixture consisting of a charging fuel and the oxidizing agent available in the induction system and to ignite this cyclically in the induction system at such points of time that due to the expansion during the rapid combustion of the charging mixture an increase in pressure occurs at the intake port of at least one cylinder during its intake phase.