Mercury Marine announces a new 450 hp outboard engine. Built on the basis of its 4.6-litre 4-stroke V8, this engine finds its power thanks to the use of a compressor. To understand the manufacturer's approach, it is necessary to look at the range as a whole. The 175 to 225 hp engines are V6, the 250 to 300 hp are V8 (always atmospheric). The 350 and 400 hp are 6-cylinder in-line cylinders, but with a compressor. The new 450 hp is a V8, but with a compressor.
While this 450 hp is the most powerful outboard engine ever built by Mercury, it is also the lightest in its class with only 320 kg. Compared to the 400R, this 450 offers 40% more torque. Very compact, despite the addition of the compressor, the 450R uses the same engine hood as the 300 hp V8. It will therefore be easy to install even in twin engines (or even more).
Mercury is resuming its expertise in supercharging to obtain 450 hp on the V8. The compressor is a 2 screw system with a belt drive that ensures an air supercharging just in front of the throttle valves. To avoid overheating and to send cold air into the cylinders, the compressor is water-cooled. Finally, a system reduces compressor noise. For its part, the engine is cooled by an oil cooler in addition to water cooling.
This engine incorporates the advanced features discovered on the V6 and V8 of the range, namely the AMS anti-vibration system or the hood on the top of the engine to simply access routine maintenance operations.
The French public will be able to discover this novelty during the Autumn fairs (Cannes and La Rochelle in September 2019) and at the Nautic in Paris (December 2019). But it will only really be available for sale on the 3rd e quarter 2020 (one more year to go!). The price of this exclusive outboard will undoubtedly be revealed at these shows. But be prepared to break your piggy bank if you want to treat yourself to the biggest outboard in the harbour. The price could well exceed 50,000 euros...
Technical data sheet
- Power: 450 hp or 336 kW
- Max. speed: 5800-6400 rpm
- Engine configuration: V8 (64°) with 32 valves and double overhead camshaft
- Displacement: 4.6 l
- Bore stroke: 92 x 86 mm
- Admission: Electronic injection (EFI)
- Alternator: 115 A
- Oil capacity: 6,6 l
- Base ratio: 1.60:1
- Weight: from 313 kg
- Colours: Phantom black and Cold fusion white
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: to be defined
