An
internal combustion engine comprises a first intake valve (V1) and a second intake valve (V2) associated with each engine cylinder. The first intake valve (V1) is controlled by the respective
tappet (15) with a lift profile as a function of the
crank angle that is invariable and bound to the profile of a respective actuation
cam (14), while the second intake valve (V2) of each cylinder is controlled by the respective
tappet (15), through the interposition of an electronically controlled
hydraulic circuit. The
cam (14) that operates the first intake valve (V1) has a profile with two lobes (14A, 14B) that determine, at each
operating cycle of the cylinder, a first opening period that begins when the respective
piston is near TDC and ends when the respective
piston is at an intermediate position between TDC and BDC, and a second opening period that begins when the respective
piston is near BDC and ends when the piston is at an
intermediate point between BDC and TDC. The first intake valve (V1) is therefore fully closed during an intermediate period in which the respective piston is still descending towards its BDC, so as to create a vacuum in the respective cylinder that generates a jet of air entering the cylinder during the second opening period. The
electronic controller (25) associated with the hydraulic
system that operates the second intake valve (V2) is configured to cause an opening period of the second intake valve (V2) that begins during the second opening period of the first intake valve (V1) and ends substantially when the second opening period of the first intake valve (V1) ends.