MerCruiser 8.2L V-8

MerCruiser's new 8.2 Liter bigblock V-8 offers a number of new features. See the video.

New Yamaha Offshore V6 Outboards

Yamaha Marine's new offshore V-6 outboards are lighter weight than the previous generation of big block four-strokes. How the motor maker's engineers accomplished this task is as simple as salt: plasma-fusion. To find out more: go to MarineEngineDigest.com

Volvo Penta Launches Gas Engines with Catalytic Converters

The first gasoline engines, fitted with a catalytic converter for leisure boats, have arrived. Volvo Penta is launching four catalyzed sterndrive models and one catalyzed Volvo Penta IPS gasoline model. The engines have very low emissions and satisfy California CARB 4 star requirements, the toughest gasoline emission regulation in the world. Volvo Penta’s new gasoline engines equipped with catalytic converters, offer extremely low emission levels. The catalytic converter components are fully integrated into the engine in the aluminium exhaust system.

Advanced Electronic Control

Electronic multiport fuel injection with two oxygen sensors, one before and one after the catalytic converter, enable combustion to be controlled precisely for optimum effectiveness. The reaction inside the catalytic converter sharply reduces emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.The fuel system also includes emission monitoring and diagnostics to alert the driver if the exhaust emission control is not functioning optimally.

Temperature Control

Volvo Penta utilizes double walls in the exhaust system. The cooling water flows between the walls, thus cooling the outside of the exhaust system while the catalytic converter is able to operate at the required high temperature. Sensors also measure the temperature and adjust engine cooling as needed.

Low Weight and Minimum Risk of Corrosion

Volvo Penta selected advanced materials to keep the total weight low and maximize corrosion protection. The aluminium exhaust system is coated with titanium ceramic both inside and outside. This is a very effective corrosion protection method, which Volvo Penta is among the first to use in marine applications.

150 to 400 horsepower

“Thanks to the advanced electronic control system, these engines offer excellent driveability with power from low rpm and rapid throttle response,” says Björn Säljö at Volvo Penta’s product planning department. The catalyzed sterndrive engine program consists of one 150 hp 4-cylinder engines, two small-block V8 engines developing 270 hp and 300 hp, respectively, and one 400 hp big-block V8 engine. These engines are available for all markets. The Volvo Penta IPS 550G, a 400 hp gasoline powered version fitted with a catalytic converter is offered only in select markets.

Technical Data

Engine Prop shaft output Config. Displacement

3.0 GXiC 112 kW / 150 hp Straight 4 3.0 liter

5.0 GXiC 201 kW / 270 hp V8 5.0 liter

5.7 GiC 224 kW / 300 hp V8 5.7 liter

8.0 GiC 298 kW / 400 hp V8 8.1 liter

IPS550G 298 kW / 400 hp V8 8.1 lite

About Volvo Penta

Volvo Penta, with more than 5,000 dealers in over 130 countries, is a world-leading and global manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for both marine and industrial applications. The engine program comprises diesel and gasoline engines with power outputs of between 10 and 2,000 hp. Volvo Penta is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications and aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. For more information, please visit www.volvopenta.com.

Caudwell Marine's Axis Drive

Out of Africa comes a stainless steel drive polished to a mirror-like finish and able to withstand extreme corrosion. Designed and manufactured by XTRAC, the world’s leading race car gearbox manufacturer, the gear system reduces power losses and gear noise and includes a dry sump arrangement for optimal lubrication. The drive articulates like a POD drive, only without a U-joint, and without engine articulation. An electro-hydraulic cone clutch does the smooth, effortless shifting.

Yanmar Marine's Pod Drive

Yanmar Marine now offers diesel engines up to 450 horsepower with the ZF pod drive, complementing it 450 hp and up marine diesels offered with MerCruiser Zeus pod drives.

Benefits include improved acceleration and fuel economy as well as a substantial improvement in handling manners.

Steyr Motors Hybrid Diesel Electric Marine Engine

This diesel electric hybrid can push a boat silently at five knots in electric mode only. When ready to plane, the electric and diesel combine synergistically for fast acceleration onto plane. The real eyebrow raiser, Steyr claims reduced fuel consumption. The battery recharges while the diesel is turning revs so you can return to the dock in complete silence.

Steyr's hybrid runs in four different modes: Starter Mode, Generator Mode, Electric Cruise Mode and Boost Mode. Each mode optimizes efficiency and power flow.

The engine company, already renowned for low emission, lightweight marine diesel engines, has created an environmentally-friendly solution that not only promises zero emissions and low speed maneuvering, but also eliminates the need for separate generator units for galley appliances.

Steyr is testing prototypes with boatbuilders Four Winns and Cobalt andnegotiating with Albemarle.

Evinrude Unveils Direct Injected 25 & 35 hp Outboards

Evinrude's family of direct injection outboards has been expanded to include two small motors. One is rated 25 horsepower, the other 30 hp. What's impressive is the engineering that was required to accurately meter the inherently small amount of fuel flow. After a test drive it's also obvious these two new entries boast lots of low rpm torque, more than found in competing four-stroke outboards.