The invention is directed to a control arrangement for a direct injected gasoline engine. A sensor detects at least one operating variable of the engine and an actuator adjusts the air supplied to the engine. A control unit switches the engine between a stratified charge mode of operation and a homogeneous mode of operation in dependence upon the one operating variable of the engine. The control unit drives the actuator so as to cause the actuator to undergo a defined displacement when the control unit switches between the modes of operation so that the torque of the engine is essentially the same before and after the switchover between the modes of operation.