Big Engines Debut At Miami Show

As the Miami International Boat Show kicks off today in south Florida, several engine manufacturers have unveiled all-new big block V8s, marking a trend toward greater power and improved efficiency. Who doesn’t love big engines?

Mercury and its Mercury Racing division used the show to debut several new engines. The MerCruiser Diesel 6.7L, offered in 480, 500 and 550 horsepower versions, will be available as an inboard for mid-sized cruisers or packaged with the Mercury Zeus pod drive system. It’s fully compatible with Mercury’s full SmartCraft control and gauge lineup, including joystick control for one-handed docking.

Mercury Racing announced two new stern drive engines – the QCv4 860 and  QCv4 1750 Competition, along with a new 400R Carbon Edition Verado outboard. The quad cam, 860 horsepower QCv4 860 is offered in no less than 12 color combinations, in an interesting approach that signals these engines are as much about “show” as “go.” It features a 9.0L naturally aspirated block, Mercury’s Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) control, automatic throttle synchronization and runs on 89 octane fuel. The QCv4  1750 Competition – also offered in 12 colors – generates a whopping 1,750 horsepower on 117 MON VP C16 race fuel from its twin-turbocharged, 9.0L V8 block, making it the most powerful engine ever produced by Mercury Racing.

The Mercury 400R Carbon Edition Verado outboard meanwhile gets a “bold, aggressive visual treatment” to distinguish it from the previous 400R Verado.

Not to be outdone, Volvo Penta also unveiled a pair of new V8s at Miami, with the debut of the 6.2L 380 and 430 models.

Based on the General Motors Gen-V all-aluminum block, the new big engines boast an impressive power-to-weight ratio and direct fuel injection for maximum power and efficiency. Variable valve timing is said to optimize torque across the full acceleration range.

Indmar Marine Engines opened the show with the debut of its all-new Raptor 460, a watersports mill that is said to generate a healthy 453 pounds-feet of torque.

Based on the Ford 6.2L 16-valve SOHC V8 engine with dual-equal variable cam timing used in the F-150 F-Series Super Duty truck line, the new Raptor 460 features a high torque intake manifold and high horsepower throttle body borrowed from Ford’s coveted GT-350.

The Miami International Boat Show runs through February 20 at the Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin