Systems and methods for reducing engine compression torque

A method for a vehicle, comprising:

• in response to a less than threshold torque demand for an engine of the vehicle while the vehicle is operated at a non-zero speed and while the engine is rotated at a same speed as an electric machine:
• discontinuing fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine while maintaining the engine coupled to vehicle wheels;
• deactivating a blowdown exhaust valve of each cylinder, the blowdown exhaust valve coupled to a first exhaust manifold coupled to an exhaust passage of the engine;
• and
• opening a scavenge exhaust valve of each cylinder at least while an intake valve of a same cylinder is closed, the scavenge exhaust valve coupled to an intake passage of the engine.

A system, comprising:

• an engine configured to combust fuel and air within a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder including a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve;
• a blowdown exhaust manifold coupled to the first exhaust valve of each cylinder and an exhaust passage of the engine;
• a scavenge exhaust manifold coupled to the second exhaust valve of each cylinder and an intake passage of the engine;
• an electric machine rotationally coupled to the engine;
• and
• a controller storing executable instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the controller to:
• deactivate the first exhaust valve and increase an open duration of the second exhaust valve while operating in an in-gear, engine-off condition while the engine is rotated at a rotational speed of the electric machine,
• wherein the engine is included in a powertrain, the powertrain further including a transmission, and operating in the in-gear, engine-off condition includes shutting off fuel injection to the plurality of cylinders while a drive gear of the transmission is engaged.