In a historical moment in which the automotive sector is asked to improve its efficiency in terms of fuel economy and polluting emissions in order to mitigate the emerging climate crisis, the investigation and in-depth understanding of the flow phenomena and flame-fluid interactions occurring in the combustion process becomes fundamental. The basis of this analysis, aimed at the development of new combustion concepts of better efficiency, lies in the experimental activity that is providing over the years detailed studies of in-cylinder processes supported by the development of predictive CFD numerical models. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to research by building up a wide thermodynamic and optical database concerning CCV phenomena, flame kernel formation and flame front propagation.