Motor Boat & Yachting – August 2019

manufacturers of 45-55ft craft – especially
if it avoids having to specify the larger,
heavier, costlier D8 engines – the claimed
improvements to reliability and running
costs will be appreciated even more by boat
owners. Around 85% of the parts have been
re-engineered to achieve this, including
stronger cylinder heads, pistons and valves.
The entire factory has also been reorganised
to create a totally sterile ‘clean assembly’
room. This whole area is kept at a slightly
higher pressure to ensure no dust enters it.
As a result of this and greater use of
fi tted-for-life components, such as the new
crankshaft gas separator, Volvo claims to
have increased service intervals by 20%,
reduced the quantity of spare parts and fl uids
needed over the fi rst 10 years of ownership
by 40% and is predicting a 30% reduction
in unforeseen breakdowns.

NEW DPI DRIVE
The biggest change to the new DPI leg is
a hydraulic clutch, offering smoother gear
engagement and low speed trolling. This
allows varying degrees of clutch slip
at idle (without damaging
the clutch), starting
with just 10% of
the normal drive

to 100% when fully engaged. This allows

much fi ner speed control around the marina

without needing to click in and out of gear.

The new DPI drive also features electronic

fl y-by-wire steering as standard (previously

a cost option). This removes the need for

hydraulic cables at the helm and makes

it easier and cheaper to fi t the optional

joystick on twin-engine installations. The

control unit is now separate from the drive

so it can be mounted in a more accessible

place and includes a steering angle feed

for the boat’s MFD.

Other new features include early warning

alarms for water in the bellows and low-level

gear oil, and fi tted-for-life prop shaft seals.

As a result oil and fi lter change intervals

have also been extended from once a year

to every other year.

A harder stainless steel alloy has been

used to manufacture thinner, more durable

propeller blades for reduced drag and

a longer life expectancy.

The new drives are rated up to

50 knots but there is still no

replacement for the high

speed DPR drives. Volvo

says there isn’t enough

demand to justify

developing a new one.

NEW D4 RANGE

Engine HP RPM Sterndrive Shaftdrive IPS

D4-150 150 3,400 Yes No No

D4-175 175 2,800 No Yes No

D4-230 230 3,500 Yes Yes No

D4-270 270 3,500 Yes Yes No

D4-300 300 3,500 Yes Yes No

D4-320 320 3,600 Yes Yes No

NEW D6 RANGE

D6-300 300 3,300 Yes Yes IPS400

D6-340 340 3,400 Yes Yes IPS450

D6-380 380 3,500 Yes Yes IPS500

D6-400 400 3,500 Yes No No

D6-440 440 3,700 Yes Yes IPS600

D6-480 480 3,700 No Yes IPS650

A B O V E The all-new DPI drive has a hydraulic clutch for smoother gear
changes and a water sensor in the bellows and gear oil

R I G H T Joystick now has

‘hold station’ and ‘joystick

steering’ buttons (top row)

while throttles have a

‘low speed’ trolling mode

(bottom left)

Fly-by-wire steering is

standard on DPI drives

The revised engine

management system

The props use a harder

stainless steel alloy

manufacturers of 45-55ft craft – especially to 100%when fully engaged. This allows

R I G H TJoystick nowhas

‘hold station’ and ‘joystick

steering’ buttons (top row)

while throttles have a

‘lowspeed’ trolling mode

The props use a harder

stainless steel alloy