Volvo Penta introduces next-generation marine gasoline engines

by Marine NewsWire on 20 Nov 2014 Volvo Penta today announced the introduction of the first two models of its next-generation sterndrive marine gasoline engines.

The new 4.3-liter catalyzed V6 engines, rated at 200 and 240 horsepower, will supplement Volvo Penta’s current V6 product line. They debuted at the Marine Dealers Conference and Expo (MDCE) in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 16-19.

Volvo Penta will roll out the complete new family of next-generation V6 and V8 gasoline sterndrive engines during 2015 and 2016. Leveraging the latest advances in automotive engineering, they expand on the revolutionary award-winning V8-380 introduced by Volvo Penta in 2012.

'At Volvo Penta, innovation is in our DNA,' said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. 'We’re very proud of our impressive record of industry firsts, such as sterndrive, Duoprop, Joysticks, IPS and Glass Cockpits. Now we’re raising the bar once again. These next-generation gasoline engines are true thoroughbreds incorporating innovations that yield dramatic improvements in torque, acceleration, fuel efficiency, emissions and durability at a competitive cost.'

'Volvo Penta already offers the widest range of engines and drive options in the marine industry, and the new-technology gasoline engines will provide even more choices for our customers,' Huibers added.

Key benefits and technologies include:

• Better fuel economy and lower emissions through common-rail direct fuel injection
• Higher torque and acceleration using Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
• No saltwater exposure to any internal engine parts with freshwater cooling (FWC)
• Increased power-to-weight ratio due to lightweight all-aluminum block
• Optimized for use with ethanol blends using wideband oxygen sensors
• Extended service intervals and simplified servicing from common engine platform

Current and new engines are available with DPS, OceanX and SX drives as well as Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) options. The engines also come with constant RPM in turns as a standard feature.

'One of our core values at Volvo Penta is to be good stewards of the environment,' said Huibers. 'These next-generation engines are designed to improve fuel efficiency and meet the world’s most rigorous emission standards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board, as well as future European Union requirements, by a wide margin. We are also reducing CO emissions at idle by 95 percent.'

The new engines are supported by Volvo Penta’s industry-leading 2+3 factory warranty and extended coverage programs. Dealers and boat owners will also benefit from the commonality of service parts across the full family of engines, as well as the extended service intervals enabled by the new technology.