The invention concerns a method for controlling the operation of a cylinder assembly according to which the following phases are carried out during the same operating cycle: an exhaust opening phase (L.sub.1); a first inlet opening phase (L.sub.2) during a compression phase of the piston, and; a second inlet opening phase (L.sub.3) subsequent to the first. The second inlet opening phase (L.sub.3) begins once the piston reaches a position located in the second third of the travel thereof, in an expansion phase, and the first phase (L.sub.1) is carried out entirely during the exhaust opening phase (L.sub.1). The invention also concerns an internal combustion engine that operates according to the aforementioned method, and to a motor vehicle equipped with this engine.