Engine assembly having a turbocharger

An engine assembly for a vehicle includes an engine and a turbocharger operatively connected thereto. A controller is configured to, based on at least one performance parameter associated with the vehicle, execute a pre-acceleration control sequence including: delaying ignition within the engine's cylinders to increase a temperature of exhaust gas discharged to the turbocharger and reduce a torque of the engine; deactivating at least one cylinder in a predetermined pattern to reduce the torque of the engine; actuating a throttle valve to increase air flow to the engine to (i) increase the torque of the engine, and (ii) increase a volume of exhaust gas discharged to the turbocharger; and increasing a volume of fuel injected by the fuel injectors into the cylinders so as to increase the torque of the engine thereby compensating at least in part reduction of the torque of the engine.