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New stern-drive, outboard propulsion

unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show

The “wow” factor soared when Mercury Racing’s new monster QC4v 1,300-horsepower stern-drive engine was introduced last month at the Miami International Boat Show. The all-new engine was built specifically for Poker Run-style offshore powerboats.
In fact, a pair of the turbo-charged engines appeared in the new Mercedes AMG-inspired 46-foot Cigarette Rider—a collaborative effort between Cigarette Racing Team and Mercedes AMG. The co-branded powerboat was paired with the new Mercedes AMG SLS luxury sports car at the Cigarette display.
A host of other new engines debuted at the Miami show, including an 8.2-liter stern-drive engine from MerCruiser and a two-stroke 150-horsepower Pro XS outboard from Mercury Outboards. New four-stroke outboards include Honda’s new BF115 horsepower, a new F70 horsepower from Yamaha and new DF40- and DF50 engines from Suzuki.

MERCURY RACING 1300/1350
“To achieve the higher power levels that are increasingly more popular we had to design a completely new engine, drive and propeller package,” explained Erik Christiansen, director of Mercury Racing Engineering. “It’s taken two-and-a-half years so far in design.” The first production engines will likely ship in August for twin and quad applications on 39- to 60-foot boats. A new, high-capacity dry-sump gear oil drive is mated to a stronger, high-torque transmission spinning new five- and six-blade CNC propellers.
Engine air induction determines the difference between the 1,300-hp and the 1,350-hp models. The 1,300 breathes ambient air, while the 1,350 breathes outside air through a direct-air induction system. Direct-air induction requires computer-aided design integration with the vessel, resulting in an added 50 horsepower per engine.
Cigarette Racing Team’s engineers were able to test the engine on a dynamometer and anticipate the 46 Rider will top 130 mph with a pair of the 1,350-hp engines.
The 9.0 liter quad cam four valve (QC4v) cylinder block and head design, combined with SmartCraft Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS), will provide big power with luxury-car-like drivability. Snazzy new Zero Effort digital controls provide smooth operation of the potent powerhouses.

MERCURY MERCRUISER 8.2L
Mercury MerCruiser introduced an 8.2-liter engine that replaces the 8.1L. The new engine produces more power and has better mid-range acceleration, lower emissions and better fuel efficiency running on 87-octane gasoline. The 8.2L will deliver 380  horsepower, with its H.O. model delivering 430.
The 8.2L MerCruiser engine comes in stern-drive and inboard configurations. The new models are compatible with Axius, SmartCraft, SeaCore and either Digital Throttle and Shift or mechanical throttle and shift on the stern-drive models and DTS only on the inboard models.

MERCURY OUTBOARDS 150 Pro XS
Mercury introduced the Pro XS engine five years ago, and now the performance-oriented engine is offered in a 150-horse tournament-ready package. Users can expect improved torque, better top-end speed and improved fuel economy.
Mercury shared comparison tests with its standard 150 OptiMax. The 150 Pro XS delivered 2.6 more mph at top speed, and at cruising speed, the Pro XS provides 15 percent better fuel economy. Available in a 20- or 25-inch shaft, the 150 Pro XS is designed for bass boats, deep-V aluminum fishing boats, bay boats, and pontoon and deck boats 19 feet and longer.

HONDA MARINE BF115
Honda’s new BF115 is derived from the inline 4-cylinder 2.4 liter DOHC engine platform used in Honda’s Accord and will be available this summer. The new BF115 delivers the fuel efficiency and quiet operation of four-stroke outboard engine technology combined with light weight and powerful acceleration, and still manages to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent over the previous model. The gear case has also been updated and a longer anti-ventilation plate helps trap water flowing to the propeller to minimize cavitation.

YAMAHA OUTBOARDS F70
Yamaha’s all-new four-stroke F70 outboard is so light (260 pounds) and versatile it can even be used in applications formerly reserved for two-strokes. The new F70 has the best horsepower-per-liter ratio in its class, and it weighs 109 pounds less than Yamaha’s four-stoke F75. Fuel economy of the new Yamaha F70 is superior to that of the Yamaha 90TLR, and better than the Yamaha F75.

SUZUKI MARINE DF40 AND DF50
Suzuki’s new DF40 and DF50 reportedly offer increased fuel efficiency and performance, while weighing less. Suzuki’s initial tests show they use 23 percent less fuel than the current 40- and 50-horsepower models, mainly in the cruising range, which is where the engine is used the majority of the time. Suzuki also reports the new DF50 is six percent faster on the top end and 26 percent quicker in acceleration than the current Suzuki models.