Volvo, long considered one of the premier marine engine builders in an increasingly competitive industry has built what is arguably the most influential marine engine in the industry today. Sporting increased fuel economy, dual vibration dampers, and an impressive list of features, including a cast-iron block, seven crankshaft bearings, and a heavy-duty ladder frame, the Volvo Penta D-12 700-I marine engine is an impressive big-block engine regardless of how it is categorized.
The largest and most powerful diesel engine in Volvo’s D-12 series of boat engines, the D-12 Penta is constructed with a heavy ladder frame with a cast-iron block, and is counterbalanced with two vibration dampers on the camshaft. At 12.1 liters, the D-12 series Penta engine puts out approximately 700 horsepower smoothly thanks to its vibration dampers. Torque kicks in on these engines at a very low 1000 to 1400 rpm, permitting the engine to push a boat much more quickly onto its plane. The inline six cylinder engine weighs 3,461 pounds, meaning that using a pair of these marine engines will put roughly seven thousand pounds into the aft of your boat. With turbochargers, aftercoolers, and a self-contained freshwater cooling system which reduces corrosion common to other water-cooling systems, Volvo’s new Penta marine engine is not only powerful, but also IMO compliant, meeting all current emission standards. As with all current model diesel engines, you will be pleased with the Penta D-12’s fuel economy, rated much higher than previous engines.
Volvo has been a major marine engine manufacturer for many years now. Not only do they produce engines for smaller yachts, but they also produce commercial fleet engines and leisure boat engines in ratings from 10-2000 horsepower. The Volvo marine engine website is the best source of information about the new D-12 engine, and also gives an idea of this company’s impressive market presence. The address for their marine engine website is www.volvo.com/volvopenta/.
As always, great reviews for this and other marine engines can be found on-line at www.boatingmag.com. Although information for marine engines is sometimes hard to come by, there are as many as 136 dealers across the United States who can assist you with your purchase and installation of the D-12. The Volvo website provides a dealer directory from which you can select the dealer of new engines or parts nearest to you.
Volvo is one of the top marine engine builders in the world, and if you are in the market for a pair of new engines for your luxury yacht, your first instinct should be of replacing your old with brand-new engines from Volvo’s Penta lineup. You’ll be glad you did!
