Volvo Penta IPS800 and 950 – Quimby's Cruising Guide

Volvo Penta IPS800 and 950


Volvo Penta has announced an expansion to its IPS product line with the introduction of two new models: the IPS800 and 950. Like their predecessors, the new IPS drive packages provide leading performance in terms of higher torque, better drivability and significantly lower noise levels. With steerable drive units and double forward-facing propellers, the Volvo Penta IPS system provides about 30 percent lower fuel consumption and 20 percent higher top speed compared with traditional shaft installations.


“The mechanical compressor increases the charging pressure directly from low RPMs and now creates an even more powerful low-speed torque. Together with the double forward-facing and counter-rotating propellers you get an extremely good grip in the water. The drive packages are more responsive to commands and together with the joystick control, the result is significantly improved maneuverability,” said Thomas Lantz, Chief Product Manager at Volvo Penta.


With the new IPS models, the onboard comfort has also improved significantly.


“Thanks to a new and more efficient silencer, a new turbocharger and an air filter with improved insulation, the sound levels have been reduced by two dB, which is a clearly noticeable difference. At the same time, the robust engine design contributes to minimizing the on-board vibrations,” said Lantz.


The emission levels for Volvo Penta IPS is already about 30 percent lower compared with traditional shaft installations, and with the IPS800 and 950 further improvements are achieved.


“With advanced technology we manage to create an optimized air and fuel pressure ratio, which gives very efficient combustion. And with increased after-cooling, we acquire more engine power altogether,” said Lantz.


Thanks to the efficient combustion, the new IPS models comply with the world’s most stringent environmental legislation, U.S. EPA Tier 3, which comes into force in 2014. The particulate emissions are 40 percent lower compared with today’s Tier 2 levels.


The IPS800 and 950 will be able to live up to our customers’ expectations regarding the qualities that characterize Volvo Penta in terms of safety, reliability and service life.


“We have, among other things, developed a strong and robust engine block together with a new cylinder head with improved cooling, which gives the engine a consistent, optimized service temperature. The result is a very reliable engine with a long life,” said Lantz.


The engines use the latest generation of the Volvo Penta electronic platform, the Electronic Vessel Control (EVC). The latest generation of EVC enables an additional number of features for increased security and control, and improved functionality.


Volvo Penta IPS is a unique and flexible system and is available in double, triple and quadruple installations. The wide range of Volvo Penta IPS drive packages enables the boat owner and boat builder to find the optimal drive system for different types of boats from 35-100 ft.


The new D11 series that the new IPS models are based on has the same installation dimensions as before, which is beneficial to the boat builder. All fuel and oil filters, oil dipstick and oil filler are gathered in the back of the engine where they are easily accessible for servicing.


The IPS installation is delivered in a complete package from Volvo Penta. And compared with a setup with shafts, the installation time has been reduced by more than 50 percent.

Explore More from Quimby’s

2025 Quimby’s Photo Contest

The fifth annual Quimby’s Cruising Guide photo contest will highlight amateur photographs taken along the Inland & Gulf Intracoastal Waterways. The contest will run through January 6, 2025. There are five main categories: Nature, Wildlife, People, Marinas and Anything Goes. Winners will be announced online and have their photos published in the 2025 printed guide. […] Read More

My Fun Five Picks for Your Cruiser Dad this Father’s Day!

#1 the BOTE Inflatable Hangout Chair Classic $349  If you’ve ever sat on an Adirondack chair and thought: ‘Dang, this would be cool in the water’, then the patent pending Hangout Chair is for you. Perfect for hot days when the sun is glaring and you need to keep cool while you float, the Hangout […] Read More