The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with an adjustable variable compression ratio, a crankshaft (172) with a crankshaft central axis (176) and at least one counterweight (173) which extends up to an outer counterweight radius starting from the crankshaft central axis (176), at least one connecting rod (96), an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the adjustable variable compression ratio, a switchover element for switching the adjusting mechanism, said switchover element being arranged on the connecting rod (96), and an actuating element for switching the switchover element from a first position to a second position. During the circulation of the connecting rod (96), the switchover element has a path line (71) which intersects a path line (171) of the outer counterweight radius of the counterweight (173).