Mercury Marine introduces new V8, V6 engine models

Mercury Marine has introduced a comprehensive line of multiple 4.6L V-8 outboard engine models – the 250 and 300hp Verado, 250 and 300hp FourStroke, and 200, 225, 250 and 300hp Pro XS – plus the Pro XS 175hp 3.4L V6.

The next-generation outboard engines are part of the largest single new product development program Mercury has undertaken in its nearly 80-year history, prompting a major investment in expanding its manufacturing footprint.

“The V6 was step one of our 2018 introductions at the Miami International Boat Show in February, and we are thrilled to officially announce step two,” said Mercury Marine President John Pfeifer. “These new V8 engines, like the V6, will set a new benchmark in the marine industry in the eyes of the consumer.”

Mercury’s new V6 and V8 outboard engines are configurable to meet the needs of a wide variety of boating segments.

Along with the 3.4L V6 family released in Miami, the new V-8 engines fill out Mercury’s product portfolio in the 175 to 300hp range.

“These engines are naturally aspirated, durable, powerful and provide options for the consumer that they’ve never had before,” Pfeifer added. “This new lineup aligns with what consumers are asking for and we are delighted to deliver it to them.”

New 250, 300hp Verado
Mercury reports sea trials have shown the new 300hp Verado is up to 20 percent quicker and 2 mph faster than its closest competitor, while still providing up to 8 percent better fuel economy.

The V-8 Verados are compatible with Mercury joystick piloting for outboards, and feature Mercury-engineered digital controls and electro-hydraulic power steering for smooth operation. Equipped with Adaptive Speed Control, they deliver increased throttle response and a “sportier” feel.

The Verado driving experience is further enhanced by NVH reduction to improve ride. The new V-8 models’ next-generation, Advanced Mid-Section (AMS) incorporates perimeter mounts that deliver lower vibration.

Exclusive Advanced Sound Control technology allows users to toggle between ultra-quiet operation and a “throatier” sounding sport mode.

New 250, 300hp FourStroke
The new 250 and 300hp V8 FourStroke outboard engines are high-tech without being high-stress, delivering powerful performance while remaining quiet, efficient, reliable and strong.

The high-displacement, quad-cam design of the new V8 powerhead generates plenty of torque, especially at mid-range. The 300hp FourStroke delivers up to 9 percent more torque than the nearest competitor at 3,500 to 4,500 rpm. It boasts class-leading 4.6L displacement yet is the lightest in the 300hp class by more than 10 pounds.

The new FourStrokes offer consumers choices between mechanical or digital (DTS) controls and hydraulic or power steering. This versatility makes them a engine of choice for repowering on a wide range of different hulls.

The new V8 FourStroke engines are also available in multiple colors and can be further customized with the addition of an accent panel.

Mercury’s Warm Fusion, Cold Fusion and Pearl Fusion white cowl color options plus the popular Phantom Black, combined with five factory accent color panels and “paint-ready” panels, let owners mix and match or paint their own panels to further personalize their engine.

These colors are available for both the V-8 FourStroke and the V-8 Verado outboard engines.

New 175-300hp Pro XS
Featuring Mercury’s new compact cowl, the new 175 V6 and 200, 225, 250 and for the first time ever, the 300hp V-8 Pro XS outboard engines feature high-displacement powerheads, a quad-cam design, and Transient Spark technology.

The 250hp V8 Pro XS delivered up to 16 percent better fuel economy at cruise than its leading competitor.

All V-6 and V8 Pro XS engines feature Adaptive Speed Control, which maintains the driver’s desired rpm regardless of load or condition, and 200-300hp Pro XS models are available with either mechanical or digital controls.

The Pro XS performance-tuned exhaust tone is engineered to deliver a brawny sound that is guaranteed to turn heads, yet is quieter than the competition at cruise and top speed.

“The unveiling of these powerful, high-horsepower Pro XS models culminates a process we began in 2016 to comprehensively elevate the entire Pro XS brand with engineering that delivers higher performance, better fuel economy, uncompromising reliability and durability in a light-weight four-stroke design,” said John Buelow, Mercury Marine vice president of global category management. “We now have a complete family of top-performing Pro XS outboards from 115- 300hp that competitive anglers will love.”

The new 200-300-ph Pro XS models are built on Mercury’s new V8 engine platform and weigh 505 pounds.

During performance testing, the 250hp Pro XS set new standards for high performance, outpacing its leading competitor by 20 percent for heavy load during zero to 20 mph acceleration and 1 mile-per-hour faster top speed all while delivering up to 16 percent better fuel economy at cruise.

The 200-300hp Pro XS models also feature a 1.25-inch diameter prop shaft and are available with a next-generation Torque Master gearcase that offers a 1.75:1 gear ratio and low- water pickups on the nosecone for added mounting and trimming flexibility.

Commercial engine expansion
Mercury also announced the expansion of its SeaPro family of commercial outboard engines with two new 4.6L V8 models.

Building on the launch of the 200hp V6 SeaPro in February, the new 225hp, 250hp and 300hp V-8 SeaPro engines address a key market segment, said Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of product development and engineering.

“The commercial market is very important to us around the world and these engines fill out the pipeline of higher horsepower commercial outboards that our customers have been asking for,” Reid said. The new engines now give Mercury a full lineup of four-stroke commercial engines from 40 to 300hp.

The new 225-300hp V8 SeaPro models are engineered to deliver trouble-free performance. They are manufactured with heavy-duty components to cope with the demands of global commercial operation – including a gearcase that is validated at three times the lifespan of a recreational gearcase.

The new 300hp V-8 SeaPro is available with Mercury’s exclusive Advanced MidSection (AMS), which moves engine mounts aft and outward to eliminate vibration from being transmitted to the boat.

According to Mercury, transmitted vibration is a 60 percent less than the leading competitor’s 300hp engine.

Models equipped with the AMS also feature electro-hydraulic power steering and are compatible with Mercury’s Joystick Piloting system.

A high-output alternator in the SeaPro V8 CMS models delivers 20 amps net at idle and 85 peak amps, while the V-8 300hp SeaPro AMS engine features a 115-amp alternator.

The 225-300hp SeaPro models come equipped with a boat-mounted water-separating fuel filter kit, diagnostic SmartCraft gauges, and a graphic owner’s manual supplement. A top cowl service door simplifies routine maintenance; removing the top cowl in no longer required.

Racing 250R, 300R Outboards
Mercury also announced all-new 250R and 300R outboards for the racing market.

Designed, developed and manufactured in-house, the naturally aspirated, 4.6L V8 four- stroke engines share Mercury Racing’s Quad Cam Four Valve (QC4) sterndrive DNA – complete with aluminum four-valve cylinder heads and dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) valve train.

The four valve heads and DOHC valve train is integrated with Mercury’s proprietary V8 cylinder block, with the new platform replacing the two-stroke V6 250XS and 300XS models.

The V-8 powerhead provides a 44 percent increase in displacement compared to legacy two-strokes. Models accept either traditional throttle and shift cables or DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift).

Throttle and shift actuation, handled electronically on the engine for both traditional and DTS rigging, replaces the lag and hesitation of mechanical throttle and shift cables.

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4 Comments

  1. What about the smaller sized outboards like the 115 150? It would be nice to see a 135 again, so I could repower my boat from its 92 Model 135 mariner.

  2. does the 300 proxs have the advanced midsection?
    can you get the 300proxs in anything other than white?

  3. Does 250 Verado standard have v8 sports sound?
    And does it have the same trim?
    What are pros and cons between 250 standard v8 and Verado

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