An engine configuration for a motor vehicle is provided that has an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection, which is thermally coupled to a cooling circuit to dissipate waste heat occurring in operation, and having a storage unit, which can be coupled to the cooling circuit, for storing thermal energy, which is implemented for the purpose of discharging store thermal energy to the cooling circuit and/or to the engine before the engine is put into operation and/or during a warm-up phase thereof.