FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Mercury has begun production of the two newest additions to its flagship Verado outboard engine line - a 200 hp in-line four-cylinder and a 300 hp in-line six-cylinder.
Unveiled in February, at the 2007 Miami International Boat Show, the new 200 hp in-line four-cylinder Verado is the lightest 200 hp four-stroke outboard in the world. The right combination of weight and power makes this outboard perfect for its targeted applications, which include freshwater aluminum, saltwater coastal bay and flats boats, as well as dual engine offshore boats.
Recognizing that more muscle is required as outboard-powered boats become larger, Mercury designed the 300 hp in-line six-cylinder Verado - also unveiled in February at the Miami International Boat Show. The introduction reinforces Mercury's leadership position in the offshore saltwater markets - where multiple engine setups are common. Other target applications are coastal bay and freshwater multi-species.
Mercury engineers tested the 300 hp Verado against the Suzuki DF300 - the only other 300 hp four-stroke outboard. The test took place in Wisconsin at the beginning of June. Both engines were tested on a 2300 Key West Center Console.
The 300 hp Verado was 1.3 seconds quicker from 0-30 mph and 4.1 mph faster at wide open throttle under heavy load. In addition, the Verado proved to be significantly more fuel efficient - consuming up to 16 percent less fuel through the cruise speed range than the Suzuki. The Mercury tests showed the 300 hp Verado used 3.9 miles per gallon at 26.7 miles per hour. The Suzuki DF300 consumed 3.7 miles per gallon, but at a significantly slower boat speed (22.1 miles per hour), or a 4.6 miles per hour difference.
Mercury's 300 hp Verado delivers better performance with less noise. It is 41 percent (three decibels) quieter at idle and 100 percent (six decibels) quieter at wide open throttle than the Suzuki DF300 four-stroke.
Earlier this month, Mercury announced the most significant enhancements to the Verado line since its groundbreaking 2004 launch. Engineers at Mercury developed an enhanced power train for the entire Verado line that gives consumers increased fuel efficiency and power without sacrificing reliability.
Improvements to the power train give the Verado line world class fuel efficiency. Mercury tests show the new 150 hp Verado consumes 22 percent less fuel at wide open throttle and 18 percent less fuel on average at cruise speed than the 150 hp Verado introduced in 2005. In comparison to the competition, the new 150 hp Verado consumes up to 20 percent less fuel through the power band than the 150 hp Yamaha1, up to 23 percent less than the 150 hp Suzuki2 and up to 40 percent less than the 150 hp Evinrude E-TEC3.
The enhanced power train features forged pistons, precision machined oil dams, eccentric grooved crankshaft main bearings, an all-new intake cam profile, and a new PCM (propulsion control module) calibration. In addition, all Verados will feature a new polished chrome graphics package.
The new four- and six-cylinder Verados are currently available at authorized Mercury Verado dealers.