The new packages will be installable on boats up to 100 feet and thereby offer never before seen features for the environment, maneuvering, comfort and performance on this type of boat.
Volvo Penta IPS is the world-leading system in the boating industry for pod installations. Since its launch in 2005, Volvo Penta has, with the help of the IPS system, successfully taken an increasingly greater share or the inboard market. And as a result of the systems immense flexibility with multiple installations, IPS is currently offered on an increasing variety of boat types – all the way up to 100 feet.
To date, the engines on the IPS system have been Volvo Penta 4- and 6-liter diesel engines with a maximum of 435 hp. Two entirely new power classes are currently being launched with larger drive units and larger engines.
More powerful drive units
Larger engines with greater power and more than twice as much torque place enormous demands on drive units. Therefore, Volvo Penta has developed a larger and considerably more powerful IPS drive unit and a new propeller series for the IPS800 and IPS900.
The larger drive unit provides all the advantages and characteristics that made the original IPS system so successful.
An underwater body and propellers were developed with the help of highly advanced computer models along with extensive trials in the cavitation tunnel and tests on the boat. The result is an integrated, highly efficient propulsion system. Boat owners will have significantly lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions and the industry’s best features for performance, comfort and maneuverability with the renowned joystick function.
As with earlier drive units, the propeller series is systematic, which means that the boat manufacturer chooses the propeller according to the IPS model and top speed of the boat.
11-liter engine
The engine for the new power classes is Volvo Penta’s 11-liter engine, D11, with 700 hp or 600 hp. The engine is equipped with a twin-entry turbo that enables pulse charging, a technique that coupled with a mechanical compressor provides powerful torque from low RPMs. Combined with the larger IPS drive and twin forward-facing counter-rotating propellers provide highly rapid acceleration and immediate response to the driver’s commands.
Increased efficiency leads to superior performance in the IPS900 and IPS800, combined with lower fuel consumption and – in particular – lower total emissions. The comfort of less noise and vibrations is also tangibly better on boats that have IPS compared with straight-shaft boats.
Multiple installations
The IPS system is generally available as a dual installation, but in order to offer the system on larger boats, IPS is also available as a tripple installation and quad installation. This means the IPS system now covers boats from 40 feet in size up to 100 feet.
A quad-installation of Volvo Penta IPS900 generates the equivalent of 3,600 horsepower. Fuel consumption and range improve by about 30 percent compared with boats with a traditional shaft installation. The boat simultaneously becomes quieter and cleaner – with significantly superior performance.
There is no difference for the driver whether the boat is powered by two, three or four IPS systems. Acceleration and shifting occur in the same manner. No further adjustment is necessary.
The IPS units are compact, which enables entirely new and bold design solutions for the boats. Space onboard becomes substantially larger while the boat manufacturer’s installation times are simultaneously reduced by 50 percent and even more in certain cases.
The new IPS800 and IPS900 will be available from spring 2009.
Technical data
| Model designation | IPS800 | IPS900 |
| Cyl volume, l (in3) | 10.8 (660) | 10.8 (660) |
| Engine type | Straight 6 cylinder | Straight 6 cylinder |
| Crankshaft power at 2,300 RPM | 600 hp (441 kW) | 700 hp (515 kW) |
| Turbo-charging | Twin-entry turbo and mechanical compressor with charged-air cooler | Twin-entry turbo and mechanical compressor with charged-air cooler |
| Speed range | 28 to 40 knots top speed | 28 to 40 knots top speed |
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For further information, please contact Ann-Charlotte Emegård, AB Volvo Penta,
phone: +46 (0)31-66 84 18, E-mail: ann-charlotte.emegard@volvo.com
