Mercury Racing yesterday launched two outboards at the Cannes Yachting Festival in Cannes, France. The 150R and 200R outboards are based on 3.4-liter, V-6 powerheads that operate on 87 octane gas.
“With the new 150R and 200R, we are bringing Mercury Racing DNA to our V-6 outboard range,” category director Jed Broman said in a statement. “When it comes to bottom-end torque, these engines are best-in-class. Add the many digital features provided by Mercury’s V-6 platform, and the competition cannot match them.”
According to the statement, the engines are designed to deliver exceptional hole shot and acceleration without the weight of a V-8. Transient Spark Technology electronically adjusts ignition timing as needed, producing additional torque for faster hole shot and acceleration.
The 200R has two gearcase configurations. The Torque Master weighs 469 pounds and is designed for competitive bass boats and other performance vessels that operate in the 80- to 85-mph range. The Sport Master, at 489 pounds, is built for high-performance boats running at speeds of 85 mph to more than 100 mph.
The 150R is available with shaft lengths of 20 and 25 inches, and the 200R Torque Master and Sport Master have a 20-inch shaft. Both the 150R and 200R have 85-amp alternators.
“In recent years, Mercury Marine and Mercury Racing have raised the bar for innovation in the outboard engine market by introducing new V-8 and V-10 models at the top of our range,” Mercury Marine president John Buelow said in the statement. “Now we have responded to customer demand by expanding our V-6 offerings. With the 150R and 200R, our customers have a wider range of high-tech, sophisticated outboards to choose from to power their boating adventures.”
