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News -
Volvo-Penta |
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Volvo Penta broadens the IPS range:
Larger drive units and new smart functions
August 16, 2007
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| Volvo Penta IPS has met with
resounding success. After just over two years, the system is now
installed in more than 100 boat models from 30 to 75 feet by leading
boat builders the world over. As increasing numbers of people realize
the benefits of Volvo Penta IPS, the demand for its installation
in additional models is increasing. Volvo Penta is now taking the
next step up with higher engine power outputs and new, and larger,
drive units. Other IPS-related news includes the first gasoline
powered model, an electronic anchor, stand-alone joystick, special
function for sport fishing and low-speed mode. |
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Demand for the Volvo Penta IPS is increasing
all the time. The engines in the IPS system have thus far been
Volvo Penta's 4- and 6-litre diesel units with a maximum power
output of 435 hp. Now two entirely new power classes are being
launched, with larger drive units and larger engines, the IPS750
and IPS850.
"We started receiving requests for more powerful engines from boat
builders as soon as we launched the IPS. They immediately realised
the benefits of the system and wanted it in their larger models
too," says Lennart Arvidsson, project manager at Volvo Penta.
9- and 11-litre engines
The engine in the IPS750 is the Volvo Penta 9-litre D9 marine diesel,
which has been available for inboard shaft installation for three
years now has an output of 575 hp. The IPS850 is powered by the
all-new 11-litre D11 engine at 670 hp. Both engines share much
of their technology, not least the unique twin-entry turbo which
permits so-called pulse charging. This is a technology that produces
immense torque from low revs. In combination with the larger IPS
drive units and the twin forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers,
this result in very fast acceleration and immediate response to
the driver's commands. |
Entirely new drive units
Larger engines with higher power output and more than twice as
much torque impose great demands on the drive units. For the IPS750
and IPS850 Volvo Penta has therefore developed an entirely new
and significantly more powerful IPS drive unit, along with a new
series of propellers.
The new drive units have all the benefits that made the original
IPS system so successful. These benefits are now available for
higher power outputs for installation in larger boats and motor
yachts.
Underwater unit and propellers have been further refined with the
help of highly advanced computer models together with comprehensive
testing in a cavitation tunnel. The result is an integrated drive
system with very high efficiency. The boat owner gets better performance
at the same time as significantly lowered fuel consumption and
exhaust emissions.
Just as with previous drive units, the propeller series is systematic,
which means that the boat builder chooses the propeller model according
to the IPS model and the boat's top speed. Easy to choose and equally
easy to stock. |
High performance, low emissions
In a comprehensive series of tests, the IPS850 has been installed
in boats that are normally driven by inboard shafts. In other words,
there are directly comparable test statistics that show the gains
available with IPS: |
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Acceleration from standstill is about 20%
faster. |
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Fuel consumption/emissions are about 30% lower
at cruising speed. |
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Top speed is 38,5 knots, an improvement of
18 percent. |
The higher efficiency of IPS
thus also gives the new IPS850 better performance in combination
with lower fuel consumption and - not least - lower total emissions.
Moreover, comfort in terms of noise levels and vibration is far
better in boats with IPS compared with boats featuring inboard
shafts.
V8 gasoline
There is considerable demand for gasoline engines with inboard
shafts, primarily in the USA. Volvo Penta is therefore launching
a new and superior alternative with gasoline power, the IPS500G.
This is an IPS model that is powered by an 8.1-litre V8, producing
375 hp.
"It offers all the advantages of IPS but with gasoline power. Performance
is superb, entirely comparable with the diesel-driven IPS500. It's
comfort level is probably the highest we've ever tested, noise,
smell and vibration levels are minimal. And of course there's the
joystick for easy docking," says Lennart Arvidsson.
Docking Station, GPS Anchor, Low-Speed Mode and Sport Fish
Mode
The range of unique functions linked to Volvo Penta IPS is growing
steadily. With the docking station the boat is equipped with an
additional control station that has no steering wheel or controls,
just a Volvo Penta IPS Joystick. The Docking Station can be installed
in a place that gives the driver the best possible view for docking
and manoeuvring. A large boat, for instance, may have a joystick
on the afterdeck where the driver has a perfect view and can manoeuvre
the boat freely. Up to four control stations can be installed on
a boat, three of which can be docking stations.
The GPS anchor can be simply described as a handbrake at sea. When
the driver activates the function, the EVC system takes over operation
of the throttle and gears and control of the drive units. With
the help of information from a GPS receiver and an electronic compass,
the EVC system can keep the boat steady without it moving or rotating.
Low-speed mode has previously been available for inboard shaft
installations. Using the conventional controls, the boat can also
be driven at particularly slow speeds, very useful when fishing
or when moving slowly in congested spots. Low-speed mode also makes
the joystick function even more pleasant to use.
Finally, the sport fish mode has been developed in close cooperation
with deep sea fishing professionals in North Carolina in the USA.
When the sport fish mode is activated, the propellers are directed
outwards to the very maximum. When the driver operates one engine
ahead and the other in reverse the rotational force is many times
higher than if the propellers were directed to the rear (which
they always are with a shaft). This makes it easier for the driver
to keep the stern facing a speeding fish, thus increasing the chances
of landing it. It's an entirely unique function that has attracted
considerable attention in sport fishing circles.
Volvo Penta Yacht Group
With its new IPS range, Volvo Penta is making a serious entry into
the market for motor yachts up to about 80 feet. A market where
each and every boat is built entirely to individual customer specifications
and where the demands are particularly high. In order to meet these
demands, Volvo Penta is setting up a department that will take
care of contacts dealing with motor yachts, everything from expertise
at the design stage to the content of servicing and maintenance.
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| TECHNICAL DATA |
| Designation: |
IPS750 |
IPS850 |
| Displacement l (in3): |
9.4 (571) |
10.8 (660) |
| Configuration: |
In-line six
cylinder marine diesel |
| Crankshaft output, kW (hp): |
423 (575) |
493 (670) |
| Turbo charging: |
Twin-entry turbo
and aftercooler |
| Speed range: |
28 to 40 knots
top speed |
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