Beyond the Revolution
Twenty years after the first appearance of the IPS, Volvo Penta continues to define the future –the new IPS Professional Platform opens the way for new generation of superyachts, while the Electric IPS brings a zero-emission experience to sailing
by Paola Bertelli - ph. courtesy by Volvo Penta
Some ideas don’t just resist time, they transform it. When Volvo Penta presented its Inboard Performance System (IPS) at the London Boat Show in 2005, it didn’t only introduce a new propulsion system but also a completely different way of experiencing a yacht. IPS created the concept of Easy Boating, simplifying the art of navigation so that it once again becomes sheer pleasure. Since that time this technology has never ceased to evolve, widening its horizons and refining its potential. Now, twenty years after its launch and 41,000 units sold worldwide, this revolutionary system enters a new phase with two products that will have a powerful impact on the story of propulsion – the IPS Professional Platform and the electric IPS line.
The IPS Professional Platform is a natural extension of the IPS system into the superyacht market and the world of larger work vessels. The system is desired by those seeking uncompromising power and fluidity – it is capable of reducing consumption and emissions by up 30%, thanks also to the new Eco Mode function that automatically controls the start and stop of each engine according to the required load, improving acceleration and cutting noise and vibration while still providing the control immediacy the platform is famous for. There is another advantage: the extreme compactness of the engines means more free space in the engine room – this can be used to enlarge the interiors, providing more room for the owner, guests and crew, meaning greater on-board comfort. Its modular architecture, which can integrate
The IPS Professional Platform re-designs large yacht propulsion. The system, backed by years of production and thousands of hours of bench and sea tests, integrates engines, pods, exhaust and controls.
Currently available with combustion engines, the hybrid version is set to appear in 2027, with a full-electric system introduced the following year
internal combustion engines burning renewable fuels as well hybrid or full electric solutions makes this a forward-looking system, a technological bridge to a large, more efficient and more aware sailing experience.
Confirmation of this was seen at the Cannes Boat Show 2025, which hosted the first superyacht equipped with the IPS Professional Platform, the Sanlorenzo SX120, followed by the launch of the Amer 42 Explorer. At the same time, this year Volvo Penta revealed a further development of the IPS system with a 100% electric version. Now on the market, the line offers 220 kW to 1.1 MW of power, ready to equip yachts capable
of sailing in total silence and with zero emissions. It is not only a green choice, it’s also a development of the IPS philosophy – flawless manoeuvrability, joystick and dynamic positioning, autopilot and assisted mooring remain unchanged, but are now enhanced by a smart energy management system and plug & play integration that simplifies installation and operations.
Two new arrivals that confirm Volvo Penta’s ability to set the pace in marine innovation, ensuring that IPS continues to be the name that redefines the future of the sea. volvopenta.com
IPS Electric is the 100% electric propulsion system based on the IPS platform. This plug and play solution is supported by a smart energy management system
