Honda Marine has revealed their highest powered outboard ever.
With the upcoming IBEX show starting October 3rd in Tampa, Florida, Honda is unveiling an all-new V8 four-stroke BF350 platform.
The new engine will mark a significant step-up from their previous flagship BF250 and will be their first commercially available V8 powerhead.
The sleek BF350 will target boats in the 25-foot and larger range by offering a broader, flatter torque curve.
The company also says the engine will have smoother power delivery throughout the engine’s operating range, improved ergonomic controls, excellent fuel efficiency, greater reliability, and improved ease-of-use, maintenance and ownership.
It will be available in two colours -- Aquamarine Silver and Grand Prix White -- and is intended to run on regular gas, not premium fuel. Each engine will carry a dry weight of 765-776 lbs (347-352 kg) depending on shaft length.
“The business strategy for Honda Marine is rooted in the Honda Vision for 2030: serving people worldwide through the pursuit of the highest-quality products and advanced, integrated solutions that fulfill expectations of society, meet individual needs, improve daily lives, and bring even greater joy,” said Kevin Mills, assistant vice president, Honda Power Sports & Products in a press release.
Other standout features include Trim Support (trim can operate automatically based on engine or boat speed with available presets), automatic tilt, cruise control, and idle charging -- at idle the engine automatically increases RPM by 100 to produce an additional 9 amps for charging devices and preventing battery drain.
The entire platform will also utilize several standard Honda electronic features including VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control), BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) System, Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), and Honda's well-known Intelligent Shift & Throttle (iST) command and control system.
One of the most intriguing details about the BF350 is the co-opting of automotive technology from Honda's vast portfolio.
The BF350 crankshaft is built using the same crankshaft alloy and tested to the same strength specifications as Acura’s famed NSX high-performance sports supercar. The fully balanced 30° offset crankshaft eliminates the need for counter balancing -- meaning it integrates with 60° engine design and nonlinear engine mounts to provide exceptional performance with minimal vibration.
Another key feature will be the BF350's availability with an immobilizer ignition system that requires a remote transponder key to start the engine. The theft-deterrent system is designed to prevent the engine from being started without the owner’s smart key. If an attempt is made to start the engine without the smart key, the immobilizer disables the engine.
Honda Marine has stated that availability and on-sale date and pricing for the BF350 will be available in early 2024. It will be offered with a true 5-year non-declining factory warranty. You can get the first look at the BF350 in the video below:
