3:34 AM Thu 25 Feb 2010 GMT
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'The drive unit for the new engines was designed specifically for the greater horsepower and can handle up to 35 percent more power than the company's legendary
6 drive. - Mercury Racing grabd headlines at Miami'
Mercury Racing
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It's never difficult to be impressed with the array of new products usually unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show, but 'impressed' does not seem a strong enough word for 'Mercury Racing's release of its most powerful engine yet.
These awesome nine-litre, twin-turbo, quad camshaft V8 power plants are stunning in every respect; they redline at 6500rpm and will be marketed as the Mercury Racing 1300 and 1350.
Based on a massive 552 cubic inch block, Mercury Racing president Fred Kiekhaefer rates the engines as 'the most sophisticated products in the company's history.'
The difference between the 1300 and the 1350 is related to how they 'breathe'; the 1300 takes its ambient air from the engine room, in much the same manner as most stern drive propulsion units, but the 1350 breathes the cooler air from outside via a direct air induction system providing the extra 50hp boost.
Something else makes these engines stand out; believe it or not, they are available in 10 spectacular colour combinations!
Mercury Racing totally designed the engines in-house, from block to prop, according to Guy Williamson, Mercury Racing's service and quality chief.
'Seventy years of Mercury Racing experience has been invested into the creation of these engines,' he said.
A new drive package was also developed to handle the power of the new engines, complete with hydraulic transmission and re-designed propellers.
This package, Mercury Racing claims, is stronger all round and is capable of handling 35 percent more power than the company's renowned
6 drive unit.
A pulse-tuned exhaust system, never previously used in a four-stroke engine, provides instant power right across the range of engine revolutions.
Extreme durability has been built into these engines, with NiCom coated cylinder bores improving heat transfer and an active anode enhancing resistance to corrosion.
Despite their power, the engines are claimed to be 'green', with 20 to 30 percent improved fuel economy due to the common rail port injection and four valve delivery.
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Mercury Racing's new engines were desiged from 'block to prop' and there looks to be plenty of bite in this 'wheel.' - Mercury Racing grabd headlines at Miami - Mercury Racing
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Adding to their visual appeal, Mercury Racing has virtually concealed all necessary wiring and tubing beneath customised carbon fibre covers, each available in any of 10 smart colours.
Controlling this horsepower is made easy with newly-designed Zero Effort Digital Control and a Propulsion Control Module microprocessor, described as 'the brains behind the brawn', which gives the driver seamless integration at his fingertips.
Adds to this Mercury Racing's technology, including SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift and the Engine Guardian System, and drivers are ensured of complete and total control.
The sequential fuel injection system requires 98 octane gasoline for efficient operation.
Guy Williamson could not hide his enthusiasm when describing the engines.
'These engines have been designed to go faster, be stronger, go further and last longer than any comparable engine,' he said.
'They are absolutely brilliant in every respect.'
Two of the 1350hp engines have already been installed in a stunning 46' Cigarette launched at Miami in conjunction with an equally eye-catching AMG Mercedes-Benz gull-wing roadster.
If they perform as well as they look, Mercury Racing and Cigarette are on a winner.
For further information, contact Mercury Marine, or visit the website
www.brunswick.com
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Would I like to be the man at the Zero Effort throttles? You can bet on that! - Mercury Racing grabd headlines at Miami - Mercury Racing
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by Bob Wonders
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