Volvo Penta releases its most powerful marine engine ever!

Volvo Penta launched its most powerful marine engine ever, the new 1000hp D13, at a packed media event at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show at Darling Harbour on Thursday night (August 3).

The new D13-1000 thrusts Volvo Penta into the 1000hp marine leisure engine market for the first time, using a proven 12.8-litre block that’s now been optimised for higher performance and greater durability on boats up to 40m in length.

But the inboard engine with shaft drive is also offered with Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) drive, as the IPS1350, using the beefed up IPS30 drive.

This is the biggest IPS in the Volvo Penta range and creates propulsion opportunities for the Swedish engine maker in superyachts.

"The updated IPS30 can withstand the high power from the new engine, and will allow vessels to reach speeds of up to 42 knots," said Johan Wästeräng, Vice President for product management in the marine leisure segment at Volvo Penta, who travelled to Sydney boat show for the launch.

"This is hugely exciting for us to create our most powerful engine yet," Wästeräng enthused. "It’s truly a landmark product for our marine range, and really gives us a bigger step into the large yacht market."

The D13-1000 and IPS-1350 have been designed for yachts of up to 40m and, in the case of the IPS model, in multiple installations of two, three and even four engines and drives.

BOOSTED PERFORMANCE
To achieve 1000hp from the D13, which previously produced up to 900hp, the in-line sis-cylinder, 12.8-litre diesel engine with common-rail fuel injection underwent a major redesign.

There are new pistons, highly efficient injectors an improved cooling systems that, with a bigger turbo and rechipping, combine to produce 11 per cent more power than the previous 800-900hp D13 models.

In addition, Volvo Penta says the IPS-1350 package provides up to 30 per cent lower fuel consumption compared to inboard shaft installations, up to 15 per cent faster acceleration and 20 per cent higher top speed. Noise and vibration levels are said to be reduced by up to 50 per cent.

The IPS-1350 package can be installed in twin, triple or quadruple configuration, and of the latter, the power produced is equivalent to 5400hp, Volvo Penta says.

"We are continuing to develop our offering and are not only powering leisure yachts with Volvo Penta IPS, but also a wide range of commercial marine vessels such as offshore wind farming or passenger transport vessels," say Wästeräng. "In this respect, we are powering vessels of up to 110 tons."

FACTORY BACKED
As a complete package, the new IPS has all the traditional benefits of the system in providing a seamless link — and factory-backed five-year warranty — from helm to propellers. The configuration also allows for more space on board.

"The IPS drive has been upgraded so that it can handle the extra performance from the new D13 engine," Björn Rönnvall, product manager for the marine leisure segment at Volvo Penta, explained.

"Increased low-end torque gives the vessel greater manoeuvrability at low speeds, and with the compact configuration this means there is more room on board for the luxuries that high-end yacht owners want.

"IPS gives versatility and more freedom of design and performance – it really is the ultimate choice for large yachts."

FIELD TESTING
The D13-IPS1350 was field tested in a 68ft yacht and its data compared to a 1360hp traditional inboard engine from a Volvo Penta competitor. Volvo Penta says its unit was lighter with better displacement, used 36 per cent less fuel, had faster acceleration, a higher top speed, and lower noise and vibration.

"With 36 per cent better fuel economy this means that our IPS package has a much greater cruising range than a typical inboard engine," says Rönnvall.

"We’re working with more boatbuilders and are gaining a greater foothold in the large yacht market, so we see an opportunity for even more possibilities for customers in future."

MORE EXCITING NEWS
Volvo Penta also used the press conference at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show as an opportunity to remind the media that it is now a majority owner of Seven Marine and, talking to the Swedish executive team over canapes, you get the impression more outboards with GM blocks in smaller horsepower than the 557 and 627 will come.

Volvo Penta is also the official supplier to the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 (fleet due in Melbourne on Boxing Day), with all VO65s fitted with D2-75s for all their onboard and auxiliary power needs.

Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera, spoke at the media event about the Australian boatbuilder’s close relationship with Volvo Penta.

The new Belize 66 now in build will be fitted with the new IPS-1350 engines in twin configuration. The Swedish engine maker has also formed partnerships with Palm Beach Motor Yachts (IPS-1350 installations in the 55 and 65) and Grand Banks (in the new 60).

More at Volvo Penta.