“The boatbuilders are delighted to be able to offer their customers boats with a propulsion system that has superior characteristics in all respects,” says Göran Gummeson, Volvo Penta’s president & CEO. “Moreover, the IPS system takes up considerably less space than a conventional straight shaft installation and is simple to install, which opens the way for new design solutions and more efficient boat production.”
Sportcruisers and flybridge yachts
Volvo Penta’s IPS units are installed in pairs in boats about 40-45 feet in length. The boat models in question are either open sportcruisers or flybridge yachts with dual helm stations.
Rodman and Astondoa in Spain, Fairline, Princess and Sealine in the UK, Cranchi, Innovazioni e Progetti and Airon Marine in Italy, Bénéteau in France and Tiara in the US are just a few of the boatbuilders who will be launching IPS boats in the new year – either in the form of existing boat models or in totally new models designed around IPS.
During spring 2005, IPS will be launched successively by even more leading boatbuilders throughout the world.
Highest ratings from boat owners
IPS has not only proved a success with boatbuilders – end customers also appreciate all the advantages of the new drive system.
American boatbuilder Tiara Yachts arranged for 50 of its boat owners to do a blind test that involved test-driving a normal 38-foot Tiara equipped with IPS. The customers, who were informed only that the boat had a new propulsion system, were asked to complete a questionnaire after the trial and rate the boat’s characteristics in seven different categories. The average result for all questions was an overwhelmingly positive 9.6 points out of a 10-point maximum possible score!
For further press material please go to http://www.volvopenta.com/ or visit our campaign site www.volvopenta.com/ips/gb
For further information, please contact Ann-Charlotte Emegård, AB Volvo Penta, phone:
+46 31 66 84 18, E-mail: ann-charlotte.emegard@volvo.com