The new Mercury Racing Verado 400R – a serious performance outboard

Published on: 09/09/2015

The Mercury Racing Verado 400R is the most powerful consumer outboard ever produced by Mercury and provides the highest power-to-weight ratio of all other four- stroke outboards in it class.

This impressive 153hp per litre powerhouse is an incredible achievement in power and efficiency achieved through a number of advancements to the proven 2.6L Verado platform. 

Performance Enhancements

The 400R features a custom cold air induction system for improved air flow and power development while significantly reducing intake noise for improved sound quality. An all-new, water-cooled supercharger is designed to reduce intake temperature and significantly increase air density. This enables the engine to generate unprecedented torque and unmatched acceleration all the way from the lower end of the power band up to 7,000 rpm maximum engine speed. Electronic knock control enables the engine to run safely on 89 octane (95 RON) fuel when the recommended premium 91 octane (98 RON) fuel is not available to maximise performance. Structural upgrades incorporated into the 2.6L cylinder block and head ensure classic Verado durability, even at this higher power output.

Sport Master

The 400R is the first ever Verado to feature the race-proven Sport Master gearcase with low water pickups for added performance. The efficient and durable Sport Master offers a wide range of application options including single engine flat boats, traditional catamaran sport boats to multi-engine offshore centre consoles.

To unlock the full potential of Sport Master, the 400R features stainless steel guide plates with composite wear pads on the Advanced Midsection for enhanced engine stability and improved handling at speed. The engine is also available with the standard Verado 5.44” HD gearcase for more traditional applications.

Zero Effort Control with Joystick Piloting (JPO)

The Verado 400R is the first Mercury Racing outboard to feature Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) technology. Joystick Piloting takes the stress out of docking and manoeuvring in tight spaces by providing 360-degree movement. The intuitive design of the joystick enables anyone, from experienced captains to novice boater’s to manoeuver large boats with ease and confidence. JPO 400R models are available exclusively with cambered Sport Master gearcases.

Mercury Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) replaces the lag and hesitation of traditional throttle and shift cables with digital precision, resulting in smooth shifting and instant throttle response. Mercury Racing’s ergonomic, Zero Effect® Digital controls go hand-in-hand with Joystick Piloting for an intuitive control experience – precisely signalling driver intent to the DTS equipped synchronisation and shadow mode for triple and quad engine applications (where two throttle levers operate all engines).

Auto Pilot with Skyhook

In addition to simplifying the docking experience, Joystick Piloting is also capable of acting as a virtual anchor. With the push of a button, Skyhook® (digital anchor) pinpoints the boat’s position using a GPS satellite antenna and automatically shifts, applies throttle, and articulates the engines independently to maintain the boat’s position. This is useful for a number of reasons; from maintaining position while waiting for fuel to holding coordinates over a favourite fishing spot.

Integrated autopilot, auto heading and waypoint sequencing make navigation simple and efficient. A built-in digital compass on Auto Heading allows the captain to maintain course and make precise corrections with the touch of a finger. One-degree heading adjustments can be made with a tap on the joystick; 10-degree adjustments can be achieved using the control panel. Trips with multiple stops between the starting point and final destination are simple with Waypoint Sequencing, which allows the operator to plot the boat’s course using multiple points. All of the system functions can be monitored and manipulated via Mercury VesselView® displays.

Colour Options

The 400R is available in both Cold Fusion white and the legendary Mercury Phantom Black. Cold Fusion white models come standard with Mercury Racing Blue accent colours. In addition, a total of seven coloured accent decal kits are available on Cold Fusion white models to match a variety of boat graphics.

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