Previous investigations have demonstrated that improvements in gasoline engine performance can be accomplished if the valve timing is variable. Variable Valve Timing (VVT) provides improvements in engine efficiency and performance by changing the valve lift and timing as a function of engine operating conditions. This work reports the results of investigations in the field of variable intake valve control of spark-ignition engines. Different degrees of freedom for a variable intake profile such as variable intake opening and closing events, and variable valve lift are considered and evaluated concerning their potential to reduce pumping losses. Increased gas velocities during intake for low engine speed and load prove to be very efficient parameters to improve engine performance under unthrottled conditions. Another important aspect is the optimized intake-lift profile for maximum volumetric efficiency over the whole engine speed range, taking into account the dimensions of intake manifold and possibility to deactivate one of the intake valves of a 4-valve per- cylinder engine.