Volvo Penta claims its new propulsion system, with props turning in the direction in which the vessel is travelling (Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System -- IPS) means faster, stronger, quieter, cleaner and more manoeuvrable craft.
The system has pulling and counter-rotating propellers placed through the bottom of the hull boosting performance over traditional shaft installations.
Volvo calculates the benefits mean craft will be 20 per cent faster, have 15 per cent greater acceleration, 50 per cent less noise and vibration, dramatically easier handling and installation will be 75 per cent faster.
"During the development work and the continuous tests that we perform, the system has exceeded our expectations time and time again," Volvo Penta president Göran Gummeson said in a press statement. The company said boat builders allowed to follow the test had all reacted positively and leading boat brands plan to launch boats. The new prop system was featured at the London international boat show. The new system will be launched in two versions: the IPS 400 and IPS 500 based on Volvo Penta's D6-310 and D6-370 diesels appropriate for 35-50 foot vessels. The company has announced that it is expending its engine plant in China to about 7,000 square metres. The plant, which was opened in 2002, has now a capacity of 10,000 engines annually. It is located 100 kilometres west of Shanghai and jointly owned by Volvo Penta and its Chinese partner, Wuxi Diesel Engine Works. Production involves diesel engines used in industrial applications, mainly generator sets, as well as in various types of workboats and passenger vessels.
