When a feed intake air amount to a combustion chamber (5) is small, the closing timing of the intake valve (7) is kept at a limit closing timing.

The control device is further provided with an intake variable valve mechanism (44) which makes the closing timing of an intake valve variable.

  When the feed intake air amount to the combustion chamber (5) increases to some extent, the advancing action of the closing timing of the intake valve (7) is usually started.

When the response delay of the recirculated exhaust gas is detected, the closing timing of the intake valve is corrected such that the actual compression ratio rises.