With the IPS system, Volvo Penta has revolutionised the market for traditional inboard installations. Five years after the launching, there are currently over 10,000 IPS units circulating on the market. The IPS series is now being expanded even further.

With new and larger drive units combined with the 13 liter engine, Volvo Penta will launch two new power classes this year, IPS1200 and IPS1050. In 2005, Volvo Penta's IPS system created an entirely new marine segment, called pod installations. With efficient propellers, the IPS system is the renowned market leader in pod installations, which has greatly replaced the boating industry's traditional shaft installations.

The initial stage of the IPS system was based upon Volvo Penta's 4 and 6-litre diesel engines. Just last year, two new power classes were launched with larger drive units based on Volvo's 11-liter diesel engines. New for this year, Volvo Penta is launching a third based on the Volvo Group's 13-litre diesel engines. The two new IPS drive packages provide the equivalent of 1,050 and 1,200 horsepower in comparison to conventional inboard installations. Meaning that Volvo Penta can currently offer the IPS system for boats up to 100+ feet. Larger engines with higher torque and power output generate greater demands on the drive units. So Volvo Penta has created a larger and more powerful IPS drive unit along with an entirely new series of propellers for the IPS1200 and the IPS1050.

The larger drive unit includes all the advantages that made the original IPS system so properous. The underwater body and propellers have been developed with the assistance of enhanced computerised models joined with extensive cavitation tunnel testing and tests in boats, resulting in a highly effective integrated propulsion system. Their higher efficiency enables the IPS1200 and IPS1050 to have better performance and with lower fuel consumption therefore lowering total emissions. In addition, comfort in IPS boats, compared with boats fitted with a straight shaft, is significantly higher resulting in lower vibrations and sound. Volvo Penta covers the entire speed range for the IPS1050 and IPS1200, from approximately 28 to 40 knots, with seven highly effective propeller packages, which are available as standard products. Meaning significant advantages not only boat builders, but for end customers as well..

The engine for the new power classes is Volvo Penta's 13-liter diesel engine equipped with dual-stage turbo technology, the D13, developing 800 and 900 horsepower. This 13-liter engine has been designed with the help of the latest diesel engine technology. The D13 comes with new dual-stage turbo technology. The first stage is a twin-entry turbo that features pulse charging - the power in each exhaust pulse provides pulse pressure - resulting in extremely high torque from low rpm. At higher rpm, a second turbo comes into play so that the engine sustains its power even at high rpm.

EMS 2, the new engine control system created by Volvo Penta, balances fuel injection 100 times per second. The system controls unit injectors, one per cylinder, functioning at a pressure rate of up to 2000 bars and atomize the fuel for superlative combustion. Total emissions satisfy by a wide margin the EU RCD and US EPA Tier 2 regulations and are also in balance with the very stringent EPA Tier 3 regulations that will come into effect in 2012. The new IPS system is offered as a double, triple or quad engine installation. Meaning that the IPS system covers boats from 35 feet up to 100 feet in length. It makes no difference for the driver whether the boat is powered by two, three or four IPS systems. Acceleration and shifting occur in the same way with duel, single lever, controls. Additional controls are not required. The IPS units are small, thus entirely new and bold design solutions for the boats are certainly possible.