Volvo Penta expands compact engine range ahead of RCD II emissions regulations

Volvo Penta’s entire marine leisure engine range is now compliant with the new European Union Recreational Craft Directive Stage 2 (RCD II) emissions regulations.

The RCD II compact range, 13-75 hp, includes the addition of two new models, D2-50 and D2-60, expanding Volvo Penta’s range of marine leisure diesel engines.

Volvo Penta’s new four-cylinder D2-50 and D2-60 engines are available for both S-drive and shaft installations. The company says they add to a competitive series of models for sail yachts and other displacement boats, which require compact diesel engines with excellent performance. The D2-50 engine is naturally aspirated with an output of 49 hp at 3000 rpm and the D2-60 engine is charge air-cooled with an output of 60 hp at 3000 rpm.

Both engines have an in-line injection pump and are fitted with freshwater cooling as the standard. They are designed to be low in weight and provide low fuel consumption, low noise and vibration.

The new D2-60 is available from December 2016. The D2-50 will be available in Q2 2017.

These two new engines will be a replacement in the market for the D2-55, which is only approved for RCD Stage 1. Production of this engine has stopped as of December 2016.

“We have expanded our range to offer a highly competitive platform for RCD Stage 2,” says Johan Wästeräng, vice president of marine leisure product management at Volvo Penta. “I believe that our new D2-50 and D2-60 will be a welcome addition to our compact diesel engine range for small craft.”

Scope of compliance

New emissions regulations for the European Union (EU) RCD II will be applicable for all engine-powered leisure watercraft of 2.5m to 24m (except racing boats, hydrofoils and hovercraft) and relate to both exhaust and noise emissions. They come into force on Jan. 18, 2017, and all engines within the scope must apply for official certification via CE marking.

The complete range of Volvo Penta’s leisure engines is now compliant with RCD II regulations. This includes inboard, diesel and gasoline sterndrive, Inboard Performance System (IPS), and sailboat, for the following models: D1, D2, D3, D4, D6, D8, D11, D13, V6 (with catalyst only) and V8 engines.

All engines in the RCD II range, with the exception of the D2-50, are available from December 2016.