MIAMI — With its winged blade and aerodynamic cowling, Honda Marine’s new concept engine at the Miami International Boat Show was certainly turning some heads — including mine.
In the marine engines tent, a full-size model of the outboard was mounted on a stand at the Honda booth. There was no horsepower label on the engine, but it was similar in size to some of the 300-plus-hp outboards on the market today.
Honda brought the model to the boat show “to show a vision of what the future could bring,” but the engine maker “has not announced any intent to produce the design concept engine,” Will Walton, Honda Marine assistant vice president, said in an email this morning to Trade Only Today.
“For competitive reasons we don’t discuss future product. That said, though, Honda as a company has a wide range of experience with all types of engines, from a small 25cc M4 engine to the engine that powers the Honda Jet.”
The concept engine draws inspiration from the products Honda offers in the auto, marine and aeronautical industries, from current marine outboards to automotive products such as the Acura NSX Supercar. (The heat ducts on the concept engine feature an interwoven design with a black honeycomb mesh, reminiscent of the intakes on the NSX.)
“To date, Honda Marine has focused its efforts in marine engines of 250 horsepower or less to service the heart of the marine market, in segments that keep boating accessible to the largest number of boaters and potential boaters,” Walton said. “That said, Honda listens to its customers and studies the needs of the market to help shape future product. This design concept engine makes sense for Honda Marine.”
