Mercury launches “game-changing” 600hp Verado

Like the original Verado line in 2004, Mercury Marine has established new rules in the four-stroke outboard segment with the launch of the 7.6 liter V12 600hp Verado. The large-but-sleek motors were introduced to the press at Mercury’s Lake X test facility in Florida. The event included a static display of the technology behind the outboards, and also test boats with the outboards in twin, triple and quadruple configurations. They included the Boston Whaler 420, Scout 425 LXF, Sea Ray SLX 400, Tiara 48 LS, Valhalla V-46 and the Formula 500 SSC. The Tiara, Valhalla and Formula were all making their first public appearances.

With the exit of Volvo Penta’s Seven Marine, the new Verado is the world’s largest outboard in production. “Some companies are building their boats essentially for this engine,” David Foulkes, CEO of Brunswick Corp., Mercury’s parent, told IBI on a tour of the new engines.

Foulkes, who had been Mercury’s vice president of product development, engineering and racing when the 600hp Verado project started, says the engine will be a game-changer for the industry. “It’s not just another outboard,” he says. “It’s completely different, with many unique features. It will make us very difficult to catch.”

The innovations include: The first outboard engine with a two-speed transmission. Mercury said in a statement that the “Two-speed automatic transmission optimizes engine rpm according to workload, facilitating powerful acceleration and highly efficient performance at cruise. First gear is 20% lower than second gear, leveraging the engine’s high torque to accelerate the boat and get it up on plane quickly. The engine continues to deliver robust power and acceleration through its power shift all the way to rated speed. The two-speed transmission also contributes to unrivaled fuel economy (and, therefore, unprecedented range) and exceptionally low sound levels, especially at cruise.”

Source: IBI News