Intake holes at the opposite ends are opened and closed by first intake valves. The middle intake hole is opened and closed by a second intake valve. A control device includes an intake variable valve device. First branch channels are connected to the intake holes and produce a normal tumble flow. A second branch channel is configured such that the flow rate of intake air passing through the middle intake hole is relatively greater on the side closer to the outer periphery of the combustion chamber. Where increasing the flow coefficient is given a higher priority, a three-valve drive mode is selected. Where the strength of the normal tumble flow is enhanced, a two-valve drive mode is selected. Where production of the normal tumble flow is reduced, a one-valve drive mode is selected.

An apparatus for electromagnetic actuation includes a cylindrical housing. The apparatus further includes at least two stationary cores fixed to the cylindrical housing. Each stationary core includes at least one first annular portion having a first annular thickness between a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The apparatus further includes a ring coil fixed to and in operable communication with each of the at least two stationary cores. The apparatus further includes a ferromagnetic armature concentrically aligned with the at least two stationary cores and configured to move relative to the at least two stationary cores. The ferromagnetic armature has at least one second annular portion having a second annular thickness between a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second annular thickness is about the same as the first annular thickness.

A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is configured to: open a waste gate valve if switching operation modes from supercharged lean burn operation to stoichiometric burn operation and if it is necessary to decrease an air amount; control an exhaust variable valve train so that, during a response delay period accompanying the waste gate valve being opened, a first valve opening period EX1 and a second valve opening period EX2 are set and the second valve opening period overlaps with a valve opening period IN; control a fuel injection valve so as to inject fuel of an amount necessary to realize the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio under a stoichiometric requested air amount during the response delay period; and control the second valve opening period EX2 of the exhaust valve so that, during the response delay period, the air amount comes close to the requested air amount.