Method for controlling an internal combustion engine

A method for controlling an internal combustion engine (1) supercharged by a turbocharger (12) provided with a turbine (13) and with a compressor (14) and further comprising a number (W) of cylinders (3) which are connected to a same intake manifold by a respective intake valve and to a same exhaust manifold (5) by a respective exhaust valve, the control method comprising steps of:

• determining the total target torque (Ci—objt) required to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1);
• determining a number (Wa) of active cylinders (3) to be controlled, in use, for injection and combustion, wherein the number (Ws) of active cylinders (3) is any number comprised between 0 and the number (W) of cylinders (3);
• determining a number (Ws) of inactive cylinders (3) which are, in use, controlled to aspirate the most air possible so as to increase the supercharging pressure;
• determining the target torque (Ci—obj) required to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for said number of active cylinders (3) to be controlled, in use, for injection and combustion;
• and
• controlling the internal combustion engine (1) as a function of the target torque (Ci—obj) required to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for said number of active cylinders (3) to be controlled, in use, for injection and combustion.