Volvo Penta’s IPS: a design gamechanger
Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) stunned the boating world when it was first unveiled in 2005 – and it is still the benchmark for excellence in the industry. The company (literally) turned propulsion around and now this daring design is now on display in New York as part of an extension of NYCxDESIGN.
Volvo Penta’s journey to innovation began long before the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS). In fact, the company is renowned for its innovativeness.
“We live like our customers — at one with water; we play with ideas until we happen upon something extraordinary, and management understands that innovation is an organic process that takes time and patience,” explains Björn Rönnvall, Volvo Penta’s Yacht Segment Product Manager. “These are the secrets to successful design.”
And now Volvo Penta is sharing its IPS design journey and sustainable design knowledge at an extension event of the NYCxDESIGN. The company has already presented at the Impact Summit, part of Design Pavilion’s Design Talks series programme and now, it is showcasing an IPS drive in Times Square. The aim is to engage with designers from around the world. But what makes Volvo Penta’s IPS design so special?
Turning propulsion around
Volvo Penta IPS was a revolution in marine technology when it was first launched, in 2005. The system’s innovative design has forward-facing, twin counter-rotating propellers that sit below the hull for incredible ‘grip’ of the water. Individually steerable IPS drives are linked to the onboard Joystick Docking function. The joystick makes docking – which is considered one of the most stressful aspects of boating – easier. Overall Volvo Penta IPS provides superior handling, performance, fuel consumption, and lower emissions and noise than a traditional inboard shaft installation.
The company has continually upgraded the IPS to offer more power and enhanced capabilities to customers. Today, the IPS package provides up to 30 percent lower fuel consumption compared to inboard shaft installations, up to 15 percent faster acceleration and 20 percent higher top speeds. Noise and vibration levels are also reduced, by up to 50 percent. An IPS package can be installed in twin, triple or quadruple configuration. This highly efficient system can get you from Miami to Chub Cay in the Bahamas and back again without needing to be refueled, making boating a cleaner and easier experience.
Why New York?
“No one could have predicted that turning the propellers around would change the boating world forever – but it did,” said Björn. “We were considered ‘the crazy ones’ by many, but it is the ones who dare to try new things, learn from their mistakes and persist that achieve the impossible. We want to highlight this message and inspire a young generation of talent to join the marine design industry.”
And where better to engage with designers than New York, a style-icon, in its own right. The NYCxDESIGN an annual celebration of design that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. Nicola Pomi, Vice President Marine Europe at Volvo Penta presented at the Design Pavilion’s Design Talk Series, and appeared at the Impact Summit on May 13, 2019, to address innovations in sustainability. Now, Volvo Penta is displaying an IPS installation at an extension of the event – in collaboration with Azimut Yachts, Design Pavilion, and NYCxDESIGN. The exhibit will be in Times Square until the afternoon on June 11th.
Learn more here: www.volvopenta.com/ipsdesign
Download high resolution image >
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Humphrey
Brand, Communication & Marketing
AB Volvo Penta
Tel: int +46 (0) 31 323 30 55
Email: jennifer.humphrey@volvo.com
