Mercury Racing Introduces New 150R/200R V6 Outboards
Mercury continues to push the boundaries of marine propulsion technology with new 150R and 200R V6 outboard engines.
October 2, 2024
At the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival, Mercury introduced two new high-performance outboards under its Mercury Racing brand: the 150R and 200R. These V6 engines aim to deliver superior torque and acceleration, designed to appeal to both competitive and recreational boaters.
Above: A Mercury 150R Racing Engine underway. Photo by Mercury.
Overview & Performance
Built on a 3.4-liter V6 platform, the 150R and 200R outboards provide impressive performance while maintaining a lighter weight compared to V8 models. Equipped with Mercury Racing’s Transient Spark Technology, these engines offer enhanced ignition timing for quicker hole shots and acceleration. The 150R reaches a maximum of 6000 RPM, while the 200R tops out at 6400 RPM, ensuring plenty of power across a variety of conditions.
Above: A Mercury 200R Racing Engine. Photo by Mercury.
Key Features
Both models incorporate Mercury’s Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) system, offering precise and seamless control. Additional features include Mercury’s Active Trim, Adaptive Speed Control, and Advanced Range Optimization, which work together to maximize fuel efficiency. Notably, these engines are designed to run on regular 87 octane fuel, offering a significant savings over competitors that require higher-octane options.
One standout feature of the new 150R and 200R is their upgraded 85-amp alternator, which outperforms the 44- to 55-amp output of many competing models. This ensures that boaters with heavy electronics onboard can rely on sufficient power, even during high-demand operations.
Mercury Racing Meets V6 Engines
Mercury Racing Category Director Jeff Broman highlighted the performance improvements, saying, “With the new 150R and 200R, we are bringing Mercury Racing DNA to our V6 outboard range. When it comes to bottom-end torque, these engines are best-in-class.”
Key Differences
The 200R is available in two configurations: the Torque Master, designed for competitive bass boats and high-performance craft in the 80-85 mph range, and the Sport Master, which is built for boats that exceed 85 mph and can reach over 100 mph. Both models are built for speed, while the 150R offers more versatility with shaft lengths of 20 and 25 inches, making it suitable for a range of boating applications.
Mercury Marine President John Buelow noted, “We’ve expanded our V6 range in response to customer demand, giving our customers more high-tech, sophisticated outboards to power their boating adventures.”
New Color Options, Mid-Range Jet Engine Introduction
In addition to unveiling the new V6 outboards, Mercury also introduced new color options for their popular 150hp FourStroke model, which now comes in Cold Fusion and Warm Fusion White alongside the standard Phantom Black. These options cater to saltwater boaters seeking to reduce the appearance of salt spray and keep the engine cooler in the sun, while also allowing more flexibility in matching the engine to the boat’s hull.
FourStroke 105hp Jet Outboard
Mercury also expanded its mid-range lineup with the debut of the FourStroke 105hp Jet outboard. Built on the FourStroke 150hp platform, this jet engine is ideal for navigating shallow waters without sacrificing power, offering boaters and anglers the ability to safely explore tricky waterways while enjoying the reliability of Mercury’s proven FourStroke technology.
Above: Mercury 105hp Jet Outboard. Photo by Mercury.
With these new releases, Mercury continues to push the boundaries of marine propulsion technology, offering boaters more options for performance, efficiency, and versatility.
