Multicylinder petrol engine with variable actuation of the valves

A multicylinder petrol engine, comprising:

• at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve for each cylinder, each valve being provided with respective elastic return means, which push the valve towards a closed position for controlling respective intake and exhaust pipes;
• and
• at least one camshaft, for actuating the intake valves and exhaust valves of the engine cylinders by means of respective tappets;
• in which each intake valve is controlled by the respective tappet against the action of the elastic return means by interposition of hydraulic means that include a pressurized fluid chamber;
• said pressurized fluid chamber being designed to be connected by means of a solenoid valve to an exhaust channel in order to uncouple the valve from the respective tappet and bring about fast closing of the valve as a result of the respective elastic return means;
• electronic control means for controlling each solenoid valve so as to vary the time and the stroke of opening of the respective intake valve according to one or more operating parameters of the engine;
• wherein said engine comprises second electronic control means for keeping the exhaust valves of pre-set engine cylinders closed, and in that said electronic control means are pre-arranged for keeping the intake valves of selected cylinders of the engine closed, simultaneously with the activation of the means for keeping the exhaust valves closed, so as to inhibit operation of said selected cylinders.