Mercury Marine unveils V10 outboards

Mercury Marine has introduced its first V10 outboards with the official launch of its all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado outboard engines.

Mercury, a division of Brunswick Corporation, says the new V10 engines are the quietest and smoothest in their class, and claims they run 45 per cent quieter than a leading competitor at cruise.

The new Verados are compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft technologies and come with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to pair with Navico Group’s Fathom e-power system.

“The all-new Mercury V10 Verado outboards are exactly what boaters have been asking for in a 350 and 400hp platform,” says Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president.

“They are powerful, smooth and quiet. They have many of the same fuel efficiency-enhancing features that are synonymous with our high-horsepower lineup. They also deliver the same kind of premium boating experience that has made Verado outboards legendary. The V10 Verado outboards solidify Mercury’s leadership position in the high-horsepower outboard market.”

Weighing 315kg (695lbs) and with the same 26inch (66cm) mount spacing as the company’s V8 outboards, the V10 engines are said to maximise compatibility with current boat designs, and are suitable for multi-engine applications or repowering vessels.

The new outboards feature a V10 naturally aspirated powerhead, which is said to be an industry first. Mercury says it leverages 5.7L displacement and a performance-inspired quad-cam design to propel boats ahead with “exceptional speed and acceleration.” A 150-amp alternator charges onboard batteries and supports the boat’s electrical system.

Calibrated to deliver full performance on 87-octane fuel, the V10 outboards also feature efficiency-enhancing technologies, a closed-loop fuel system and Advanced Range Optimization (ARO).

Adaptive Speed Control maintains engine rpm despite changes in load or conditions, making climbing large swells easier and cruising at low speeds smoother.

The V10 Verado engines will be compatible with a new Mercury electric steering system for multi-outboard vessels slated to start shipping in February 2023. The new system will offer enhanced steering responsiveness, dramatically simplified rigging and a more than 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption.

“We challenged our engineers to improve acceleration and overall performance with the new V10 Verado outboards, while also making them quieter and lighter than competitors’ outboards in this horsepower range,” says Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of product development and engineering. “Once again, they exceeded expectations while also incorporating technologies that make boat operation and maintenance intuitively simple.”

LaSt month (October 2022), MIN reported that Mercury recently opened a new, purpose-built distribution centre to support its parts and accessories business. The new 512,000-square-foot facility is located near Indianapolis, Indiana, a major thoroughfare connecting Mercury’s global customers.