Photo Courtesy Mercury Marine

Hot on the heels of the release of their 250 horsepower, 4.5-liter V6 sterndrive engine, Mercury Marine just announced their newest V8 sterndrive engine, a 6.2-liter V8 producing either 300 or 350 horsepower depending on application.

These are designed specifically for marine use and are not repurposed automotive engines. Great care was taken during the development process to produce a powerplant that provides quiet operation and a smooth ride.

“With the introduction of our new 6.2-liter V-8 sterndrive engines, Mercury continues to build on its success of designing and manufacturing propulsion systems that deliver the most intuitive, powerful, worry-free, smooth and quiet boating experience,” said John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine. “Like the purpose-built 4.5-liter V-6 sterndrives we introduced a year ago, we’re extremely proud of the remarkable reliability and ease of maintenance delivered by the 6.2. This is a terrific engine platform that will improve boating everywhere.”

The engine offers Adaptive Speed Control, which maintains a set RPM point regardless of load or condition changes like tight turns or tow-sport activities like wakeboarding and waterskiing. The end result of the use of the ASC is better throttle response for the drive, and reduced fatigue due to minimized throttle adjustments.

The optimization of the engine for marine use showcases a number of design elements aimed towards a simpler, more enjoyable boating experience for the enthusiast. There’s an air-intake resonator to dampen harsh sound frequencies, while the throttle body faces the rear of the boat to direct engine noise away from the cockpit. They’ve also developed larger engine mounts to better dampen vibration to allow for a smoother ride.

Like the 4.5-liter engine, Mercury Marine has placed the oil filter and fill locations within easy reach of the owner at the top front of the engine.

“The new 6.2-liter V-8 engine is another outstanding example of a Mercury product designed from the ground up with technologies, design features and materials that deliver unmatched value to our marine customers,” said David Foulkes, chief technology officer for Brunswick Corporation and vice president of Mercury product development, engineering and Racing. “It joins our extensive and proven portfolio of products that provide exceptional performance, fuel economy, durability, smoothness and quietness, combined with intuitive operation, service and maintenance.”