the present invention aims at expanding an operation range for allowing a compression ignition combustion operation . the present invention provides an internal combustion engine of a compression ignition type that is capable of operating with a compression ignition combustion scheme in a given operation range . the ecu of the internal combustion engine detects an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and determines , according to the detected operating condition , which mode is to be used operate the internal combustion engine , a 4 - cycle compression ignition mode or a 2 - cycle compression ignition mode . the ecu controls the internal compression engine to perform the compression ignition mode determined . according to the present invention , the compression ignition combustion operation is switched from 4 - cycle to 2 - cycle when the operating condition of the internal combustion engine is in such state that the 4 - cycle compression ignition mode cannot be performed , fro example , when the exhaust temperature is low .