The V8 Petrol Series sits at the top of Volvo Penta's petrol range, above the V6, and in our line-up spans 300 to 430 hp from V8 blocks of 5.3 to 6.2 litres. Built on proven GM-derived V8 platforms and fully marinised by Volvo Penta, every engine runs electronic fuel injection, and closed-circuit freshwater cooling keeps salt water out of the engine's internals — standard on the current-generation packages. The CE variants add a catalyst for markedly cleaner, low-odour exhaust. Each engine is sold as a factory-matched Aquamatic package — engine, transom shield, drive, propellers and EVC electronic controls engineered to work together rather than pieced together from separate suppliers.
The character of the family is classic petrol V8: strong low-down torque, a hard holeshot that pulls skiers and boards out of the water quickly, and quiet, smooth running at cruise. Power-to-weight is a family strength — the current-generation engines use lightweight aluminium blocks — which keeps trailer weights sensible and helps lighter hulls plane early. These engines typically power bowriders, cuddy and half cabins, day boats, wake boats and sports cruisers from roughly six to eleven metres, in single or twin installations.
The V8 Petrol Series range
Choosing within the family comes down to hull weight, how you load the boat and how you use it. The 5.3-litre V8-300 suits lighter bowriders and day boats where outright pace matters less than value; the 6.0-litre V8-350 is the step up for heavier hulls or boats that regularly carry a full crew. The 6.2-litre V8-380 is the sweet spot for larger sports boats and cruisers that need reserve power at cruise, while the catalyst-equipped V8-430-CE is the flagship for the heaviest hulls, twin installations or owners who simply want the strongest holeshot and top-end in the range. The V8-400-CE FWD is a different decision again — choose it specifically if wakesurfing and tow sports are the priority, because it pairs exclusively with the Forward Drive. If you're repowering, don't size off the old engine alone: bring us the hull details and we'll match the rating and drive to the boat.
V8-300
300 HP8-cylinder · 5.3L · Multi-point electronic fuel injection
View engineV8-350
350 HP8-cylinder · 6.0L · Multi-point electronic fuel injection
View engineV8-380
380 HP8-cylinder · 6.2L · Multi-point electronic fuel injection
View engineV8-430-CE
430 HP8-cylinder · 6.2L · Multi-point electronic fuel injection with catalyst
View engine
V8-400-CE FWD
400 HP8-cylinder · 6.2L · Multi-point electronic fuel injection with catalyst
View engineDrive options
Aquamatic DPS Duoprop sterndrive
The standard pairing across the family — twin counter-rotating propellers give strong grip, fast time to plane and confident close-quarters handling, with joystick docking available on twin installations.
Aquamatic SX single-prop sterndrive
A cost-effective single-propeller drive offered with the 300 hp rating — well suited to lighter hulls that don't need Duoprop bite.
Forward Drive (FWD)
Forward-facing counter-rotating props tucked well under the hull, keeping propellers away from the swim platform and shaping a clean surf wake. Our V8-400-CE FWD is the family's dedicated Forward Drive package.
Inboard (shaft) variants
Volvo Penta also builds inboard shaft-drive versions of its 6.2-litre petrol V8s for tow-sports and shaft-drive hulls — ask us about current availability for Australian delivery.
Boats this family suits
Pricing, repower advice or a spec for your boat
Tell us your vessel and how you use it — we'll recommend the right model and drive, with dealer pricing.
Why buy your V8 Petrol Series from Mariner
Modern, lightweight V8 power
Lightweight construction — with aluminium blocks on the current-generation engines — plus electronic fuel injection and closed-circuit freshwater cooling deliver strong power-to-weight, protected internals and easy starts, with catalyst-equipped CE variants for cleaner exhaust.
Factory-matched packages
Engine, transom shield, drive, propellers and EVC controls come matched from the factory, so performance, shifting and electronics behave as one system rather than a mix of parts.
Authorised dealer, full repower support
We supply the engine and drive, engineer the changeover, install, and commission with a sea trial from our Spotswood workshop — then back it with factory-trained servicing and genuine Volvo Penta parts.
Volvo Penta V8 Petrol Series — your questions answered
Which V8 model do I actually need?
Size to the boat, not the brochure. Hull weight, typical load and use (skiing and wake sports reward the bigger ratings) decide it more than length alone. Under-powering costs more in the long run than the price gap between models, because the engine works harder at every cruise. Send us your hull details — or the boat builder's approved ratings — and we'll recommend a model and drive, and confirm it on the water at commissioning.
Can I repower my old petrol sterndrive with one of these?
In many cases, yes — a current Volvo Penta V8 is generally lighter, cleaner and more economical than the carburetted or early-injection engine it replaces. The critical check is the transom assembly: boats already running a Volvo Penta transom shield are the most straightforward, while conversions from other sterndrive brands usually need the transom assembly replaced as part of the changeover. We inspect the boat first, then quote the complete job — engine, drive, rigging, installation and sea-trial commissioning.
Should I go petrol V8 or a Volvo Penta diesel?
For trailerable sports boats, day boats and wake boats, the petrol V8 usually wins on purchase price, weight and outright performance. Diesel (such as the D4 or D6) tends to earn its keep on heavier hulls, high annual engine hours or long-range cruising where fuel burn dominates. Because we're an authorised dealer for the full Volvo Penta range, we can compare both options honestly against your boat and usage rather than steer you to one answer.
Who handles servicing and warranty in Melbourne?
We do. Mariner Engineering is an authorised Volvo Penta dealer at Spotswood with factory-trained technicians, genuine parts and the diagnostic tools for the EVC electronics these engines run. That covers warranty work on a new engine we supply as well as scheduled servicing for existing Volvo Penta petrol sterndrives across Port Phillip Bay. Call (03) 9399 5888 to book.
Ask about the V8 Petrol Series range
Tell us your vessel, how you use it, and whether this is a new build or a repower — our team will recommend the right Volvo Penta V8 Petrol Series model and drive, with pricing, usually within 1 business day.