See how the turbo exhaust housing has no bolt holes or studs? A v-band is where they use clamps to hold 2 v-band flanges together. Upon closer inspection I'm not 100% sure about it because the flange is not v-shaped, it's flat, I just saw that it had no bolt holes. It might just be for show.
Here is an example. The 2 flanges are clamped by a t-bolt style clamp with a v inside which holds them tight. It's much easier to remove than bolts.
The later engines had a plastic cover with silver "runners" on the front but the intake has always been on the same side as the exhaust, on the back.