Volvo Penta will exhibit the IPS Hybrid system at the São Paulo Boat Show 2026, a propulsion technology that combines a combustion engine and an electric motor, intended for leisure boats. Although recently introduced in Europe, the company informed that this unit will only be available in the Brazilian market starting in 2027, with the presentation at the event being conceptual.
The event will take place between September 24th and 29th at São Paulo Expo, located in the south zone of the capital, and will serve as a meeting point for shipyards, engine suppliers, accessories, and equipment.
This system was developed from Volvo Penta IPS versions equipped with 13-liter engines, covering models from IPS900 to IPS1350, covering a power range of 700 hp to 999 hp. The integrated package includes thrusters, batteries, energy management systems, and controls, encompassing everything from the rudder to the propeller.
It offers three distinct operating modes: electric, combustion, and hybrid. In purely electric mode, the vessel can navigate at reduced speeds, perform docking with great precision, and remain anchored in complete silence. Furthermore, the high-capacity batteries can supply onboard equipment and amenities without the need to run a generator.
Leandro Barbosa, responsible for marine engines at Volvo Penta, highlighted that this solution allows navigation and anchoring with very low emissions and almost no noise. All components are coordinated by the Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, ensuring that functionalities such as Joystick Driving, Assisted Docking, Autopilot, and Glass Cockpit function correctly in all three driving modes.
Another product featured at the fair is the IPS Professional, designed for leisure and commercial vessels up to 180 feet (approximately 55 meters). The IPS system directs the propellers towards the front of the boat, resulting in greater compactness and freeing up space in the hull, allowing this area to be converted into more leisure areas, an additional cabin, or a diving platform.
Volvo Penta also uses the event to reinforce its maintenance strategy in the maritime segment. The contracts offer service execution at any Authorized Center of the brand, spread across the country's marinas, using technicians trained by the company itself and original parts.
According to the manufacturer, this contract model converts variable maintenance costs into fixed expenses, giving the owner predictability about when and how much they will pay for services. At the booth, there is an interactive simulator that calculates the investment and generates a commercial proposal.
