In a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, The ignition timing in a rich-cylinder is corrected toward a retardation side from a theoretical-MBT such that the torque generated in the rich-cylinder exceeds a torque generated in the rich-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, and the ignition timing in a lean-cylinder is corrected toward an advancement side from the theoretical-MBT such that the torque generated in the lean-cylinder exceeds a torque generated in the lean-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, when a temperature raising process is being executed, and the ignition timing in the rich-cylinder is corrected further toward the retardation side such that the torque generated in the rich-cylinder becomes equal to or smaller than a maximum theoretical generated torque and equal to or larger than the torque generated in the lean-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, when the temperature raising process is being executed and the engine is in a low-load operating state.

In a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, The ignition timing in a rich-cylinder is corrected toward a retardation side from a theoretical-MBT such that the torque generated in the rich-cylinder exceeds a torque generated in the rich-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, and the ignition timing in a lean-cylinder is corrected toward an advancement side from the theoretical-MBT such that the torque generated in the lean-cylinder exceeds a torque generated in the lean-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, when a temperature raising process is being executed, and the ignition timing in the rich-cylinder is corrected further toward the retardation side such that the torque generated in the rich-cylinder becomes equal to or smaller than a maximum theoretical generated torque and equal to or larger than the torque generated in the lean-cylinder at the theoretical-MBT, when the temperature raising process is being executed and the engine is in a low-load operating state.