Mercury Racing introduced its new 450R outboard with much excitement, featuring a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 that generates 40 percent more torque than its sibling, the 400R outboard.
The company revealed the outboard during a media event on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, highlighting a product that took more than three years to develop. The 450R outboard is expected to attract center-console and high-performance boat owners who desire a powerful yet lightweight outboard engine.
“This was developed for our clients because they are opting for larger boats and demand a compact, lightweight engine, which was our team’s focus,” stated Stuart Halley, general manager for Mercury Racing. “This is a fantastic outcome that a company like Mercury Racing can achieve, driven by passionate and dedicated professionals.”
During the company’s media event on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Mercury Racing showcased the 450R on ten boats equipped with the new outboard. From a twin-engine Wright Performance 420 Cat to Cigarette Racing’s six-engine Tirranna 59, the power package provided excellent acceleration and high-end performance.
The Fond du Lac, Wisconsin-based company applied the architecture of its 350R to create the new 450R. The proprietary 64-degree aluminum block is fitted with aluminum cylinder heads featuring a Mercury Racing Quad Cam Four Valve (QC4) design and double overhead camshafts (DOHC). The valve train is designed with a high-performance intake cam profile and race-quality Inconel exhaust valves. The camshafts are chain-driven and operate in an oil bath, eliminating the need for timing belt maintenance.
A 2.4-liter belt-driven twin-screw supercharger ensures pressure charging with zero lag for immediate throttle response. The most appealing aspect for consumers is that the 450R runs on 89-octane fuel.
“We don’t just launch engines; we introduce platforms,” remarked David Foulkes, CEO of Brunswick Corp., which owns Mercury Racing. “Platforms have the potential for expansion, and this one has always had that capability. We’re continually pushing those boundaries.”
Engineers had to navigate the constraints of the existing 350R cowling, explained Jeff Broman, director of engineering for Mercury Racing. Designing a new cowling would have delayed the project by years and required extra investment.
“Our primary challenge was packaging,” Broman shared. “Fitting everything into this compact space was tough. We went through many iterations in CAD, with adjustments in millimeters.”
Mercury Racing stated that the 450R is over 300 pounds lighter than its closest competitor, boasting an unrivaled power-to-weight ratio. Broman noted that engineers scrutinized each component to reduce weight, resulting in a 450R outboard weighing 689 pounds.
In demo rides on center-console boats and performance catamarans, the new outboard performed exceptionally well. It showcased immediate throttle response and smooth power delivery all the way up to its maximum rpm of 6,400.
Trond Schou, owner of Nor-Tec High-Performance Boats based in Fort Meyers, Florida, described the torque on the 450R as “remarkable,” stating it accelerates like a smaller boat. Schou indicated that buyers may prioritize torque over top-end speed.
“If cost is not a major concern, this is an outstanding package,” said Schou after testing the 450 Sport with four 450R outboards. “I foresee many opting for a quad setup on the 39, but many might go for just three instead.”
The 450R supports a 26-inch center-to-center mounting configuration on multi-engine transoms, making it perfect for optimizing transom space on new vessels or during repower projects. Mercury Racing will support the engine with a two-year warranty and an option for an extra five years.
Another appealing aspect is the ability for owners to run the engines in a quiet mode or switch with a button to unleash a powerful high-performance sound.
The 450R is offered with two gearcase options: the surface-piercing Sport Master gearcase for boats exceeding 85 mph, and a 5.44 HD gearcase suitable for lower-speed and traditional submerged applications.
Since March, Mercury Racing has been manufacturing the outboard and began shipping engines to manufacturers on Tuesday. Steve Miller, director of marketing, sales, and service for Mercury Racing, indicated that this year the engines will be distributed to select boatbuilders, with a broader release planned for 2020.
“We have been creating a bit of an inventory reserve so that upon launching the product, we have units ready for shipment,” Miller stated.
The MSRP for the 450R ranges from $53,000 to $64,000, according to the company.
Halley mentioned that there are more products in development but prefers to keep details under wraps.
“We won’t celebrate prematurely; in fact, being overconfident can be very risky in this business,” Halley remarked. “Companies that become arrogant often do not last long.”