The invention relates to an at least partly stratified (such as at least partly dual stratified) charge combustion engine, especially CAI (combustion assisted ignition), HCC, HCSI and HCCI engine, in which the combustion of a hydrocarbon containing fuel generating a flame emitting photon is operated in a chamber with a wall provided with a cerium oxide-carbon containing coating, said coating further comprising at least comprising oxides of the followings elements Pr, Nd, La and at least Y and/or Zr. The engine of the invention enables a catalytic reduction of NOx exhaust rate.