The new E-Tec models for the 2007 model year include 13 models based on a new 60-degree V6 platform. These new engines feature svelte 1.7-liter displacement, 50-amp alternators for powering onboard electronics, and are all three-star emissions rated. They weigh in at 419 pounds, which is relatively light compared to four-stroke engines from other manufacturers. The 2007 lineup will also feature three new 60-degree V4 engines that include most of the features of the V6 line, including 50-amp alternators and the generous E-Tec three year/300 hour service schedule.
The new 60-degree engines also benefit from new fuel injector nozzle designs, optimized oil distribution, and more robust components. Their best-in-class power to weight ratio will appeal to owners of light runabouts and bass rigs who want V6 power with E-Tec’s ease of maintenance and reliability. According to BRP’s test data, the E-Tec 150 boasts up to 25 percent more midrange power than Yamaha’s very popular 150-horsepower four-stroke engine, while maintaining better fuel economy. The lighter E-Tec also claims better top speed numbers and acceleration in this horsepower class. Evinrude’s E-Tec 115 sports similar gains over its 115-horsepower Yamaha counterpart.
We had the chance to experience these new, small-displacement engines first hand, and I was immediately surprised by their relatively small size. But size is not to be taken at face value – these new E-Tec engines deliver where it counts, providing good low-end torque and top speed, with extremely quiet operation. Vibration was virtually nonexistent throughout the entire RPM range, and there was not a hint of blue smoke to be seen.
Like all new BRP engines, the engines we reviewed had impressively low emissions scores. With increasing environmental awareness (and EPA pressure), BRP continues to take positive steps toward cleaner, more efficient products. This doesn’t mean that performance suffers though – on the contrary, BRP engines offer competitive torque in some of the lightest packages around. Unfortunately, we were unable to put like-horsepower engines from Evinrude, Yamaha, and Mercury against each other for testing. This event was really about experiencing Evinrude E-Tec engines first-hand, and learning more about E-Tec platform technology.
BRP has placed Evinrude in direct competition with four-stroke offerings from Yamaha, and BRP’s test data suggest that the new E-Tec engines will pose a serious threat to Yamaha’s established stronghold on the four-stroke market. While Mercury’s OptiMax (an established DFI two-stroke solution) is also a target in E-Tec’s sights, it was my impression that Evinrude is more concerned about dethroning Yamaha’s top-selling four-stroke outboards – at least for now, anyway. In that regard, Yamaha should worry.
What about super-horsepower engines like Mercury’s OptiMax 300XS and Yamaha’s VMAX 300? BRP states that there are no current plans to enter that horsepower bracket, but those plans could change at any time. Right now, the current sweet spot for performance testing seems to be the 250 horsepower-class engines. In this regard, Mercury maintains its strong lead in performance, as evidenced by recent testing by Bass and Walleye Magazine. This comes as no surprise to most, however, since Mercury’s OptiMax platform is a very mature platform, and Mercury Racing’s XS versions of the OptiMax engines continue to dispel the myths about modern emissions friendly outboards not being able to perform on par with their traditional two-stroke counterparts. One thing is for sure - we’re witnessing a very interesting transformation in the outboard industry, with technology pushing the limits of emissions-friendly outboard performance.
We’ve been predicting some changes for Johnson since the brand’s mainstay products fall on the wrong side of EPA mandates. The ultimate fate of the Johnson product line is still unknown, but we do have some updates from Bombardier.
All V4 and V6 Johnson carbureted models will be retired for model year 2007, which includes the 90, 115, 150, and 175 horsepower models. Additionally, all Johnson engines below 9.9 horsepower will be retired for 2007. The good news is that Johnson 9.9 and 15 horsepower two-stroke models will be available in the 2007 model lineup. Get them while you can folks – these legendary fishing outboards will likely not be around after 2007.
BRP is introducing a new four-stroke Johnson 25 horsepower model for 2007, which will be available in remote, tiller, and manual start models.
BRP has no official answer on the future of the Johnson outboard line. Although Johnson is still a powerful brand name, its current selling power pales in comparison to the high-dollar marketing-bolstered heydays of the 1970s and ‘80s.
It’s been clear for several years that BRP intended to keep the Evinrude and Johnson products unique, which is a sharp contrast to the old OMC days when those two brand names were essentially the same engine with different exterior paint. The big push for BRP is the Evinrude brand name, with its yearly product line expansion, while BRP retires Johnson outboards - many of which were legacy products.
While we could not perform any strict comparisons at Key Largo, we were able to experience a E-Tec’s performance on a variety of boats and configurations.
First, we spent the day aboard a Ranger 2200 Cayman powered by Evinrude’s flagship 250-horsepower E-Tec. The Cayman is flats fishing boat, and was equipped with Raker propeller and Lightning gearcase. Evinrude Team angler Captain Bryan Watts guided us through the backwaters while we ran the Ranger at 50+ MPH speeds through some very nasty wind-swept chop. I was able to get very close to the large V6 during these runs, observing the E-Tec’s nearly vibration-free performance and effortless torque throughout its RPM range. Though it’s a two-stroke V6, it doesn’t have the characteristic growl we’ve become accustomed to for most of our lives. While the 250 is not as quiet as a I-6 Mercury Verado, the 250 E-Tec manages to deliver its smoke-free power at sound levels much lower than traditional two-stroke engines.
Heading over to a multi-engine configuration, BRP provided a Wellcraft 352 center console sport fishing rig powered by triple 250 E-Tecs. We were not able to spend as much time on this rig, however, we were able to get some top-speed runs in before the day was over.
18 cylinders and 750 horsepower translate into some very torquey performance – and that it was, but refined is a word we’ll also add to that adjective. With a full load of fuel and four adults aboard, the large Wellcraft managed a modest top GPS-recorded speed of 49 MPH. With all three large-displacement E-Tecs running at full throttle, carrying on a conversation in the boat was surprisingly easy.
Bombardier also had a full lineup of 2007 accessories available for testing. These system add-ons give boaters the opportunity to have a complete BRP system, with components engineered to work together for maximum performance. A new prop hub system and controls will debut soon, as well as an expanding I-Command instrument system.
It's clear to us that Evinrude's E-Tec engines are putting the heat on Yamaha, but our real interest is seeing E-Tec challenge Mercury's 10-year mature OptiMax platform. Yamaha might start sweating as direct-injected products from Evinrude and Mercury reinvent 2-stroke outboard performance.
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