Introduced at an invitation-only media event in Florida, the new engines respectively complement the existing 400hp V10 and replace the first-generation 350hp variant, bringing what Mercury says is unprecedented power, torque and smooth, quiet operation to the power range. “These new V10 Verado engines reflect our commitment to giving boaters exactly what they’ve asked for – greater performance with the same smooth, refined experience they expect from Mercury,” said Mercury Marine President John Buelow. “With this launch, we’re raising the bar in the high-horsepower category and reaffirming the Verado family’s position as the pinnacle of premium outboard performance.”
Like the first-generation 350hp and 400hp V10s, the new enhanced 350hp and 425hp Verados use the same 5.7L powerhead, the same advanced midsection to isolate the powerhead for a smoother, quieter ride, the same precision hydrodynamic gearcase, and run on the same Regular grade petrol (91 octane). Buelow notes the higher horsepower output of the 425 stems from a combination of software and hardware upgrades, including a new throttle body and airflow improvements, while the enhanced performance of the updated 350 is achieved through software tweaks alone.
Both new engines come with digital throttle and shift and are fully compatible with Mercury’s SmartCraft control platform. An Adaptive Speed Control feature lets boaties maintain engine rpm despite changes in load or conditions, making it easier to negotiate large ocean swells. Advanced Sound Control lets owners toggle between a whisper-quiet exhaust tone or a throatier growl at startup and idle. And, both new V10s work with Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for super-easy docking in any conditions.
More get up and go
Mercury’s new V10s are all about delivering more of the things boaties want, says Buelow, starting with faster acceleration across the entire powerband. In controlled testing the new Verado 425 V10 accelerated from 0 to 30mph (48kph) three seconds faster than a competitor’s 450hp outboard, he says, while the enhanced 350 Verado V10 beat a competing 350 to 30mph by four seconds flat. It was even 15% faster from zero to 50mph (80kph) than the original Verado 350 V10, which was already known as a particularly quick engine.
It’s even more impressive in a real-world sea trial. My test boat – an 8m Blackfin 262CC fibreglass fishing boat rigged with a single 425 V10 – demonstrated that Mercury’s claims of faster acceleration don’t just apply out of the hole but across the entire powerband. In the calm waters of the Tampa River, the 425 Verado rocketed our 2,140-kilo Blackfin to 30mph in 8.5 seconds, then took it from 30 to 50mph in just eight seconds. At wide-open throttle, we were sailing along at 60mph (100kph) with the V10 turning at 6,500rpm and purring like a happy lion.
More power
Mercury’s new V10 outboards aren’t just about power at the propeller, they also deliver more power to run ever more onboard electronics. All three V10 models come with a massive 150-amp alternator, with the 400 and 425hp models offering a 12V/48V dual-mode 150-amp alternator as an option. Running a boatload of electrical accessories has never been easier.
More options
Buyers enjoy the option of selecting between electro-hydraulic and fully electric steering on the new V10 Verados. It’s an important consideration, says Buelow, so those who don’t want a full-electric steering package aren’t obligated to pay for it. It also makes it easier to repower older boats with electro-hydraulic linkages in place. The enhanced 350 Verado comes in a choice of 20-, 25- or 30-inch shaft lengths (508, 635 or 762mm) while the 425 mirrors the original 400 V10 in adding an additional 35-inch/889 mm long-shaft version.
Less weight and noise
For all their added grunt and high-tech features, Mercury’s new V10s intentionally come up short in two ways, starting with weight. Like the previous 400 V10, the new engines weigh just 695 pounds (315.25kg), which makes the 425 V10 a full 254 pounds (111kg) lighter than its 450hp competitor. That’s a huge difference that can’t help but positively impact both acceleration and fuel economy.
The other way the new V10s come up short is in the noise and harshness department. While ripping along in that Blackfin 262CC, the 425’s full-throttle voice was more of a throaty purr than a high-pitched whine. Mercury says that at cruise speeds the Verado 425 makes 22% less noise than its main competitor, while the enhanced 350 Verado comes in 40% quieter than a competing 350. I’m inclined to believe them. Even at full throttle it was fairly easy for our three-man crew to maintain a normal conversation without having to raise our voices. Wind noise was a far greater factor than the actually rather pleasant hum of the engine, which speaks to Mercury’s efforts toward facilitating a quieter, more pleasing environment when underway.
More value
While we all know everything comes at a price, Mercury’s 425 Verado V10 doesn’t command much of a premium, with a retail cost of just over US$1,000 above the existing 400hp V10. What’s more, pricing on the new enhanced 350 is unchanged from the previous model since all the hardware is the same. So, more power for just a modest cost increase or no price increase at all – who doesn’t like that?
Mercury will be shipping its new V10s in the US by the time you read this, with deliveries to customers worldwide expected to follow in due course. Whether you’re thinking about a new boat at some point or one day repowering the one you already have, Mercury’s new Verado V10 lineup offers an enticing balance of performance, features, refinement, and value. But don’t take my word for it. Take the new 350 or 425 V10 for a ride and you’ll understand for yourself why these new engines are already raising eyebrows in North America. BNZ
