Torque control is a basic element of engine control systems, in particular since it has become a standard interface for different functionalities. Torque control is also a critical requirement emission test cycle simulation on test benches. This torque control is usually reached by extensive, physical based modeling of the vehicle. This paper presents an approach to avoid this effort and to obtain a dramatic reduction of the parametrization work, by first determining an approximated model and then updating it online during operation. This model is than used for a stable inverse control. To handle model uncertainties and perturbation a correction feedback, with robustifying effect, is added to the control structure. This approach is detailed using data and measurements on a BMW M47D production diesel engine on a dynamic test bench. Copyright © 2003 SAE International.