KEY LARGO, Fla. — Suzuki Marine unveiled its new DF200A 4-cylinder, 200-hp outboard Tuesday at the company’s annual new model introduction and business meeting at the Ocean Reef Club.

The DF200A is Suzuki’s first 200-hp 4-stroke. The inline 4-cylinder engine gives boaters performance previously expected from a V-6, Suzuki said. The new design features a 175-cubic-inch “big block” and a higher compression ratio for greater acceleration and low-end torque.

The engine boasts Suzuki’s lean burn technology and knock, O2 and water detection sensor systems, allowing boaters to better monitor and control internal engine operations.

Weight, speed, performance

The DF200A weighs 498 pounds, more than 12 percent less than Suzuki’s V-6 200.

The engine’s semidirect air intake system provides cooler air directly to the engine’s long track-tuned intake manifold. The engine is designed to breathe more efficiently with Suzuki’s variable valve timing system, and with twin intake and exhaust valves for each cylinder. By allowing the engine to breathe cooler air, acceleration and top-end speed are improved, Suzuki said. Suzuki factory testing reported a 1.5 percent improvement in top-end speed and a 12 percent improvement in zero to 30-mph acceleration, compared with competitive models.

Suzuki said another contributing factor in the new engine’s improved performance numbers is the 10.3-to-1 compression ratio. By increasing the compression of the fuel/air mixture by 9.7 percent, Suzuki said engineers noted an improved power output from the 175-cubic-inch displacement DOHC powerhead.

Boats at Ocean Reef

Suzuki representatives at the conference said the DF200A’s specs make the engine an option for many types of boats, including freshwater fishing boats, saltwater flats boats and center consoles, along with larger pontoon and deck boats. The DF200A was available for testing at the conference on the Key West 21 and SeaVee 37. In all, 12 boats were available for in-water testing with a variety of Suzuki outboards.

The DF200A is expected to be available in the fall. Suzuki did not reveal the price of the engine at the conference.

In addition to the new DF200A, the two engines Suzuki introduced earlier this year at the Miami International Boat Show — the DF25A and DF30A — were available for the first time for in-water testing at the conference. The engines are equipped with a battery-less electronic fuel injection system that helps to deliver quicker starts, smoother operation and better acceleration, Suzuki said. Both are built with a new inline 3-cylinder block.

Also on hand for in-water testing was Suzuki Precision Maneuvering, the company’s fully integrated electronic throttle, shift, steering and joystick control for boats equipped with Suzuki DF250AP and DF300AP “next generation” 4-strokes.

The conference kicked off with cocktails and dinner Monday night. Suzuki Motor of America’s new president, Takuya Sato, offered a toast to the future of the company. Sato said Suzuki’s goal is to capture a 10 percent share of the marine outboard market by 2017. Suzuki said it sold 12,500 of the 150,000 units that were sold across the industry last year.

This week’s meeting was the fifth time Suzuki has hosted the annual conference at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. Four hundred boat manufacturers, boat dealers and media members attended.