Mercury Marine has introduced the new 7.6‑litre V12 600hp Verado® outboard engine – the world’s first V12 outboard.
With this launch, Mercury continues to transform the high-horsepower outboard market, providing its most powerful and capable outboard, which includes several industry‑first features for a wide variety of applications.
Ground-breaking product innovations include the industry’s first two‑speed automatic transmission for an outboard as well as the industry’s first steerable gearcase on an outboard.
INNOVATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The new 7.6 litre V12 600hp Verado® engine is the highest horsepower outboard ever developed by Mercury Marine. In fact, it is the highest horsepower outboard engine in production today. Its naturally aspirated, large displacement, quad cam powerhead generates incredible torque to power large centre consoles, day boats, runabouts, luxury cruisers and more.
The new 500hp Mercury SeaPro outboard is also built on the 7.6 litre V12 platform and is engineered to withstand extraordinarily demanding commercial applications around the world. The 500hp SeaPro outboard shares features and benefits of the V12 Verado outboard, as discussed below.
The V12 Verado engine brings many engineering firsts to the outboard market. Its new technologies and enhanced capabilities include the following:
The first outboard engine with a two speed transmission
The two speed automatic transmission optimises engine rpm according to workload, facilitating powerful acceleration and highly efficient performance at cruise. First gear is 20% lower than second gear, leveraging the engine’s high torque to accelerate the boat and get it up on plane quickly. The engine continues to deliver robust power and acceleration through its power shift all the way to rated speed.
Mercury collaborated with top industry engineers to ensure that shifting — which is synchronised on multi engine configurations — is so smooth that it’s nearly imperceptible to the boat’s passengers. The hydraulic shifting mechanism eliminates “shift clunk,” providing a premium experience at slow manoeuvring speeds and while using Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards.
The two speed transmission also contributes to unrivalled fuel economy (and, therefore, unprecedented range) and exceptionally low sound levels, especially at cruise.
The outboard segment’s first steerable gearcase
With this engine, Mercury has introduced the world’s first steerable gearcase system for outboards. The outboard’s powerhead — everything an observer can see above the water line — remains in a fixed position, perpendicular to the transom at all times. The steering occurs underwater, using a gearcase that pivots the engine’s contra rotating props to the right and left.
The industry’s first steerable gearcase can pivot up to 45 degrees
in a particular direction under joystick operation
Plus, while conventional outboards typically pivot 30 degrees in one direction or another for steering, the V12 Verado outboard’s gearcase can pivot up to 45 degrees in a particular direction under joystick operation. This provides much more authority to effectively manoeuvre a large boat. This feature, combined with the lower propeller speed in first gear, provides precise handling at docking speeds.
Dual propeller gearcase
The gearcase system’s contra rotating propeller configuration improves performance with more total blade area. There is also a hydrodynamic advantage as the contra rotating propellers’ seven blades (four in front, three in rear) mount to a smaller torpedo than would be required for a single large, four blade propeller.
A full line of propellers in various pitches and up to 18 inches in diameter, all designed specifically for the V12 Verado outboard, is available. These propellers minimise slip, providing more rapid acceleration. The contra rotating configuration also makes docking manoeuvres easier by providing greater slow speed forward and reverse authority.
Astounding fuel efficiency
Mercury attacked the goal of minimizing fuel burn on several fronts:
- A sophisticated and proprietary fuel management system, something Mercury calls Advanced Range Optimization, adjusts fuelling automatically in accordance with operating conditions. This results in significant fuel savings, especially at cruise.
- A closed loop fuel control system uses wide range oxygen sensors to further optimise fuel mixture at all operating points.
- Internal moving parts are protected by an advanced lubrication system and are designed to reduce windage and friction.
- Every submerged surface of the midsection and gearcase is designed with a hydrodynamic shape to minimise drag. Plus, the contra rotating propellers provide maximum overall blade area, resulting in outstanding performance, acceleration and fuel economy.
- The world’s first two-speed transmission on an outboard allows the engine’s rpm to come down at cruise — a key operating efficiency that saves fuel, extending range and running time on the water.
Extreme durability
The V12 Verado outboard is engineered to last, even when operated for long hours in harsh environments. Mercury subjected the V12 Verado engine to the same rigorous endurance and stress tests that the other new generation outboards in the Mercury portfolio have undergone. Like its Mercury V8 and V6 predecessors, the V12 Verado outboard easily endured the brutal regimen of testing.
Plus, enhanced corrosion inhibiting coatings and seals stand up to harsh saltwater environments.
The 500hp SeaPro outboard was designed to be the ultimate workhorse. Building on the characteristics described above, the 500hp SeaPro outboard was engineered for maximum durability and reliability to withstand the rigors of extended commercial service. The high-displacement powerhead delivers loads of torque at a lower rpm, meaning less stress on the engine. Mercury validated the 500hp SeaPro engine to the same extended hours performance standards as those upheld by the other outboards in the SeaPro family. These engines provide commercial operators with performance they can count on for years.
Easier maintenance and extended service intervals
Mercury built the V12 Verado outboard to make maintenance easy. This engine is capable of operating for 200 hours before requiring routine service, including oil changes, and basic maintenance can be done through the innovative top cowl service hood while the boat is still in the water. The entire cowl doesn’t need to be removed to allow more in-depth service until 1,000 hours or five years. Plus, Mercury added enhanced engine monitoring systems to improve the overall boat ownership experience.
As mentioned above, routine maintenance is made easy with a newly designed cowl hood providing enough access to accomplish all the maintenance tasks associated with the 200-hour service interval without having to remove the boat from the water. Much more than a service hatch, this hood operates more like the hood of a car. Pressing the electronic release pops open the hood, and a gas strut holds it in place. Engine components are neatly arranged, and the touch points are color coded. The service infographics inside are intuitive and easy to follow.
The V12 Verado outboard is designed for use with new premium Mercury Precision Lubricants® products. These include power steering fluid, automatic transmission fluid and 10W 30 full synthetic engine oil, capable of providing maximum protection through a wide range of extreme operating conditions and temperatures.
Remarkably quiet and smooth operation
Mercury applied industry-leading science to create a remarkably quiet and smooth boating experience. New noise management designs under the cowl and in the next generation Advanced Midsection result in extraordinary sound dampening and vibration mitigation. Plus, the electronically activated shifting of the two speed transmission is smooth and quiet. The V12 Verado engine is the quietest high horsepower outboard ever built.
Space saving design
Owners of large boats will love the extra space that using outboard engines frees up. Knowing this, Mercury brought several design elements together to minimise the space occupied by the V12 Verado engine, even when it is tilted to raise the props out of the water. The engine’s space saving design ensures its compatibility with a broader array of boats.
To conserve space on the transom, the engine features a tall, narrow angle “V” engine block design. The steerable gearcase eliminates the need for spacing that would otherwise be required to pivot the entire engine for steering. These characteristics enable the V12 Verado outboard to be mounted in multi engine configurations with a minimum spacing requirement of only 27 inches from engine centre to engine centre. This 600hp engine needs only slightly more space on the transom than a 300hp Verado outboard and requires less spacing than competitors’ high horsepower outboards.
Enhanced digital controls
In addition to compatibility with the renowned Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards system, the V12 Verado outboard has the Next Gen Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) system. The new controls are sleek and ergonomic. Mercury made them more intuitive by adding features like push button access to Active Trim, which automatically adjusts trim for optimal performance. A Premier dual handle console mount control for multi engine boats includes an integrated digital display that connects boaters with valuable system information and helpful pop-ups.
Increased electrical charge output
Bigger boats with more amenities demand more onboard electrical power. The V12 Verado outboard stands up to the task with a muscular 150 amp alternator, the highest amp alternator in the outboard market.