Self-ignited combustion engine with partial shut-down and method for operating such a combustion engine with optimised emissions

The engine (10) has two groups in which each group is provided with two cylinders (30). One cylinder of first group is formed as the cylinder that can be switched in a load-dependent manner. The two groups are characterized by different compression ratios. The cylinder of a first group is provided with a lower compression ratio and the cylinder of a second group is provided with a higher compression ratio. The cylinder of the first group is in operation during the event of a partial deactivation in the lower portion-load range. An independent claim is included for a method for operation of an internal combustion engine.