The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine (7) including at least one cylinder with a cylinder (10-12) bore defined therein for reciprocatably receiving a piston (97) provided with a piston ring (215). Moreover it is provided with a coolant passage arrangement including a coolant jacket formed in the cylinder (10-12) around the cylinder bore. The internal combustion engine (7) is improved in that each piston ring is prevented from rotating around the longitudinal axis of the piston relative to the piston and the fuel injection valve means (36) is disposed aligned such that the fuel injection is directed towards the side of the cylinder (10-12) where the ring opening of each piston ring (215) is positioned. According to another aspect of the invention, the engine is improved in that a heat insulating means for preventing the cylinder (10-12) from overcooling is provided on an inner surface wall of the coolant jacket opposite to the coolant inlet opening.