By Jerome A. Koncel
Evinrude Broadens Its Appeal By Jerome A. Koncel Evinrude has broadened its appeal to boating anglers and ramped up the competition among outboard engine manufacturers by adding four new popular horsepower engines to its G2 line of outboards, along with showing off a new virtual dashboard.
The newest outboards from Evinrude include the E-TEC G2 150, 150 High Output (HO), 175, and 200 hp engines. These new engines build on the prior line of G2 outboards (ranging from 200 HO to 300 horsepower) introduced in 2014.
Evinrude’s new engines are direct-fuel-injected two-stroke outboards. The company said the new technology delivers significant performance advantages to boaters over comparable horsepower engines currently available in the market. In comparison tests, Evinrude claims its new G2 technology delivers 20 percent more torque, 15 percent better fuel efficiency, and 75 percent fewer emissions compared to comparable four-stroke outboards.
“Our Evinrude E-TEC G2 technology is now the benchmark for outboard engines,” said Alain Villemure, vice-president and general manager of BRP’s Marine Propulsion Systems division. “By expanding this award-winning product line to lower horsepower models, even more consumers can benefit from the industry-leading performance of Evinrude E-TEC G2. From bass to pontoon [boats], center console to aluminum fishing, fresh water to salt water, the revolution is here.”
All new G2 models are available with integrated Dynamic Power Steering and i-Trim, Evinrude’s intelligent trim system, to deliver optimal performance at any speed or in any sea conditions. Incorporating steering mechanisms into the mid-section of the engines also simplifies rigging for a cleaner transom. A 20-inch TRAC+ midsection on the 150 hp models with i-Trim is also available for boaters who want a lighter package without integrated power steering.
Evinrude’s G2 engines do not require a break-in period and are equipped with standard pushbutton automatic winterization. This makes the E-TEC G2 product line one of the easiest engines to own and operate. It also comes with a five-year warranty, including corrosion, and there is no need for dealer-scheduled maintenance for five years or 500 hours. E-TEC G2 engines are the first and only completely customizable outboards, available in hundreds of colors, including this year in Ice Blue and Mossy Oak.
In addition to the new G2 engine lineup, Evinrude also expanded its 2017 product year offerings by introducing two 60 HO models available in 20-inch and 25-inch configurations. These models offer consumers best-in-class performance in the 60 hp range and are a perfect fit for most applications where additional performance is desired, including aluminum fishing, multi-species, pontoon, bay and flats boats. The Evinrude E-TEC 60 HO models feature a three year or 300 hour warranty with no dealer-scheduled maintenance.
Virtual dashboard To augment its new engine additions, Evinrude now offers a new virtual dashboard that enables the display and direct control of important engine features from a mobile device, i.e., the Evinrude E-Link. An innovative alternative to traditional marine instrumentation, E-Link shares critical E-TEC Gengine data over a NMEA 2000 network via WiFi to any iOS or Android device, from anywhere on a boat.
Evinrude E-Link mirrors the data shown on Evinrude’s ICON Touch displays, giving users fingertip access to vital engine and vessel information, including:
• Engine RPM, fuel flow, trim position and oil level, as well as fuel levels, battery volt age, and water depth
• Two trip logs to assist boaters with fuel management by calculating distance traveled, fuel consumed, and average and maximum speed
• An Eco page that allows boaters to achieve the best possible efficiency in different operating conditions by monitoring estimated range and instantaneous and average fuel use
• A Concierge page that includes links to the Evinrude “Find a Dealer” webpage, as well as a “Send Engine Data” option to forward engine data directly to a dealer or service team via email.
“Our development teams are focused on providing our customers with added convenience, control, and value,” said Villemure. “Evinrude E-Link makes managing the most advanced engines on the market, Evinrude E-TEC G2, even easier. Now boaters can have all the information they need right in the palm of their hand.”
In addition to displaying data, Evinrude E-Link gives users remote control of Evinrude’s i-Trim intelligent trim system and Dynamic Power Steering feature. The device also is capable of initiating Evinrude E-TEC G2 “one touch” auto-winterization. Easy to install, it is fully customizable and can be set to five different languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Italian, and display data in metric, imperial, U.S. standard and nautical units of measure.
Perspective
For 2017, BRP’s Evinrude engine lineup ranges from 3.5 to 300 hp, which offers customers superior value across a full range of applications. It’s a lineup of outboard engines and accessories that has abroad appeal.
