Outboard engines

Significantly Improved Fuel Economy During Cruising

TOKYO, Japan, March 6, 2008 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it has implemented model changes for its BF50 (50HP) and BF40 (40HP) medium-sized, 4-stroke outboard engines. The new models will be available starting March 6 at Honda outboard engine dealers throughout Japan.

The new BF50 and BF40 outboard engines will retain their class-leading lightweight, compact packaging, enhanced with PGM-FI1 electronic fuel injection, Honda’s original BLAST2 (Boosted Low Speed Torque) air/fuel ratio and ignition-timing technology, and lean-burn control to deliver powerful startup and acceleration together with outstanding fuel economy during cruising.

BLAST, along with a newly designed gear case and other improvements, contributes to improved acceleration and a higher top speed, while lean-burn control results in a 22%3 improvement in fuel economy over the previous model4 during cruising. Battery charging capacity has also been increased to 17 amperes—over 1.7 times that of the previous model—to achieve class-topping5 charging performance.

1 PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) is a registered Honda trademark.

Honda Display Overview

TOKYO, Japan, February 26, 2008– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will display its full lineup of 4-stroke marine outboard engines at the Japan International Boat Show 2008 in Yokohama (Thursday, March 6 ~ Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan). At this, largest marine exhibition in Japan, Honda will unveil two new mid-sized marine outboard engines that combine outstanding performance with superior fuel economy.

The theme of the Honda exhibit will be “combining boating pleasure with superior fuel economy”. In addition to featuring a lineup of 18 Honda 4-stroke marine outboard engines, from the smallest (2HP) to the largest (225HP), the display will convey the evolution of Honda’s marine outboard performance, backed up by the development history and technologies of the environmentally responsible 4-stroke engine, while presenting a diversity of boating styles featuring Honda marine outboard engines. There will also be an exhibit introducing Honda’s efforts to preserve the global environment through ongoing beach cleaning activities, featuring Honda’s own original towable beach cleaner.

Source:Honda Marine

Mercury, PCM, Yamaha and Volvo Penta Rank Highest in Marine Engine Customer Satisfaction

MIAMI: 14 February 2008 — Mercury, PCM, Yamaha and Volvo Penta each rank highest among marine engine manufacturers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Marine Engine Competitive Information StudySM released today at the Miami International Boat Show.

Now in its seventh year, the study measures overall customer satisfaction with four marine engine types: EFI inboard; four-stroke EFI outboard; two-stroke DI outboard; and EFI sterndrive. Overall customer satisfaction index scores are based on performance across seven factors: starting ease; quietness at cruise; reliability; fuel economy; shifting smoothness; lack of exhaust fumes; and ability of boat to accelerate rapidly. The study also examines engine quality, where scores are measured as problems per 100 (PP100) engines and a lower score reflects higher quality.

Outboard DI two-stroke segment
Mercury leads in the outboard DI two-stroke segment for a third consecutive year, with slight improvements in engine quality since the 2007 study. Evinrude closely follows Mercury in the segment.

Marine Engines with Advanced Technologies Positively Impact Customer Satisfaction, Yet in Many Cases, Technology Does Not Play a Key Role in the Purchase Decision, J.D. Power and Associates Reports

MIAMI: 15 February 2007 — Although owners of advanced-technology marine engines are consistently more satisfied compared to owners of older technology engines (such as carburetor-driven), only one-half of outboard owners report that engine technology played a major role in their purchase decision, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Marine Engine Competitive Information Study(SM) released today at the Miami International Boat Show. Additionally, only 27 percent of inboard owners and 26 percent of sterndrive owners indicate the same.

Honda Introduces the All-New BF90 and BF75 4-Stroke Marine Outboard Engines

TOKYO, Japan, September 13, 2006 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. introduced the all-new BF90 and BF75 medium-sized 1 4-stroke marine outboard engines. The two new models will go on sale through Honda’s outboard dealers in Japan on November 1, 2006.

The new BF90 and BF75 achieve outstanding clean exhaust performance that exceeds US California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions regulations for 2008 – the most stringent emissions standards in the world – while delivering superb performance, fuel efficiency and reliability. They are also the lightest, most compact models in their output category2 (90 to 100 PS).

Honda BF90 4-stroke marine outboard engine

Mercury OptiMax, Mercury MerCruiser Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (February 16, 2006) – Mercury Marine was presented a pair of customer satisfaction awards today from J.D. Power and Associates for its direct-fuel-injected and sterndrive engines.

Mercury MerCruiser, Mercury's sterndrive company in Stillwater, Okla., was recognized by the highly regarded global marketing information firm as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Sterndrive Engines.” Mercury OptiMax – the marine industry's leading direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-stroke outboard that is built in Fond du Lac, Wis. – was recognized as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Two-Stroke Outboard Engines.”

The awards were presented this morning at the J.D. Power and Associates awards ceremony in conjunction with the Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Mercury Marine President Patrick C. Mackey accepted the awards on behalf of Mercury. He was accompanied by Mercury Outboard President Mark Schwabero and MerCruiser President Kevin Grodzki. Mackey said the entire Mercury organization is gratified to receive such a strong affirmation by its customers.