By: Scott Way
There were rumblings Mercury was going to drop something big this week. Something big, indeed.
Mercury Marine has unveiled the industry's first V12 outboard: the all-new 7.6L 600 HP Verado. They call it "the most innovative product in Mercury history," and a quick look at the specs leads one to believe that's true. Not only is it the first V12 outboard to reach the market, it also boasts the first-ever independent gearcase, allowing the engine to remain stationary during steering while the lower unit rotates. Standard outboards typically rotate up to 30 degrees, but the V12 Verado will carry a rotation of 45 degrees, allowing for easier docking and slow speed maneuvering of large vessels. The fixed engine also maximizes transom space as manufacturers won't have to compensate for engine movement and creates more options for multi-engine rigging. Other major features include the first-ever automatic two-speed transmission and a contra-rotating dual propeller case. The dual prop carries more total blade area than a single large 4 blade propeller, and the 7 contra-rotating blades (4 blades in the front, 3 in the rear) use a smaller torpedo than a standard single prop. Mercury is offering a full line of propellers specifically for the V12 Verado in various pitches and up to 18 inches in diameter. The depth of power and torque will mean large vessels won't have trouble getting up on plane, and the innovative transmission design generates minimal noise even during high output.
According to Mercury Marine president Chris Drees, “With boats continuing to grow bigger and performance expectations continuing to rise, boaters have been asking for a better, more capable high‑horsepower solution to meet their needs. The V12 Verado outboard is Mercury’s answer. Using our advanced engineering and design capabilities, we completely redefined outboard performance. The V12 Verado outboard delivers boaters unrivaled freedom, luxury and power to pursue their passions on the water. This is a remarkable engine that will change the future of boating.”
There's a lot to unpack here, but here's the breakdown:
Technical Highlights:
600 hp 7.6 L V12 is highest power rating in a Mercury outboard
7.6 liter displacement pushes heavy vessels easily and gets on plane quickly
Transient spark technology for "slingshot torque and acceleration"
Advanced hydrodynamic contra-rotating dual prop (4 blades in front, 3 in rear)
4 colour options- Phantom Black, Fusion White, Cold Fusion White, Pearl Fusion White
Servicing intervals extended to 200 hours of operation plus 5 years/1000 hours for additional maintenance
Flip-up cowl hood for easy access
150 amp alternator
Intuitive joystick and handling features including Next Gen Digital Throttle & Shift Technology, Joystick Piloting, VesselView monitoring, and Skyhook advanced controls
Digital display shows engine position/angle in real time
Improved fuel efficiency- full performance on 87 octane with closed-loop fuel system
Advanced Range Optimization calibration adjusts fuel delivery for efficiency while cruising
“The V12 Verado outboard delivers everything boaters want and more in a high-horsepower outboard. This engine makes boats easy to maneuver near the dock and provides superior handling at all speeds. It’s incredibly fuel efficient, so boaters can go farther and stay out longer. It’s so smooth and quiet that you can have a conversation while the engines are running. It’s durable, reliable and easy to maintain. There’s nothing else like the V12 Verado outboard in the marketplace today,” added Drees.
“We’ve dedicated substantial investments and years of effort toward enhancing our ability to turn highly creative ideas into practical, functional and dependable solutions,” said Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of development and engineering. “That work has positioned us well to anticipate and respond to shifts in the marketplace. We listened carefully to boaters’ needs and wishes, and we created new product capabilities aimed at exceeding their highest expectations."
Some are already proclaiming the new engine will change yacht design. That's plausible as more large vessels transition toward outboard power. With the potential of multi-engine rigging that doesn't rotate on the transom, you can expect many manufacturers to adopt the concept going forward.
You can head to the Mercury website for the full list of technical specs and performance data.
Check out the full potential of the V12 Verado below:
