ALPHARETTA, Ga., USA, February 16, 2017 - Honda Marine breaks the mold for marine engines at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show with a bold concept engine that could power the future of boating. With inspiration from across Honda’s lineup – including automotive, marine and aeronautical – the design concept engine is a blue sky vision for what future marine engines could look like.

“The Honda Marine Design Concept Engine is a clear indicator that Honda is committed to the Marine business, continuing its legacy of innovation and groundbreaking marine products with a vision of what future Honda Marine power could be,” said Will Walton, Assistant Vice President – Honda Marine.

Designers at Honda’s Advanced Design Group were given a ‘clean sheet of paper’ opportunity to design a concept motor that could be applied to a variety of engines. For design inspiration, the group looked across the portfolio of Honda’s varied product lineup, from current marine outboard motors to automotive products like the Acura NSX Supercar, to the Honda Jet.  The group started with some sketches and then moved to digital modeling to create the dimensions and look of the concept engine.

“The inspiration for the design of this engine was driven by the feeling you get when at the helm of a powerful boat on the water – the rush of excitement, the exhilaration and freedom, the feeling that hits you immediately with the boat at full throttle and the water and air around you,” said Walton.

To be truly imaginative and forward thinking, Honda designers created a concept engine that was taller than conventional marine engines.  The sculpted lines tie the concept engine to the traditional marine engine shape and functionality, but promise creativity with regards to what could power the concept engine. The result? Modern, technical form language which creates a tailored package and gives a slimmer, more vertical appearance to the marine engine.

For exceptional aerodynamics, the tailored packaging of the Honda Marine concept engine includes a sculpted center channel inlaid with a honeycomb mesh trim. The heat ducts feature an interwoven design with black honeycomb mesh reminiscent of the intakes on the 2017 Acura NSX.

The most striking part of the Honda Marine design concept engine is the floating winged blade. Inspired by the 2017 Acura NSX Supercar, the floating winged blade is a result of angled surfacing and an overlapping form, which creates the floating wing blade and helps reduce the overall appearance of the large size, resulting in the concept engine having an aerodynamic, sleek, vertical look. It’s a groundbreaking appearance pointing to a bolder, more distinctive future for Honda Marine.

The Nouvelle Blue Pearl color of the design concept engine matches the 2017 Acura NSX on display. The design concept engine could be available in a variety of colors to match the lifestyle of the customer.

While there is currently no production intent for the Honda Marine engine design concept, it speaks to the innovation and opportunity in multiple marine engine markets.  The Honda Marine engine design concept delivers a vision of the boating lifestyle of the future.

The Honda Marine engine design concept follows on the heels of the introduction of: the new Honda BF100; BF225 and 250 White motors; iST (intelligent Shift and Throttle) for the BF250; the all new BF4, 5 and 6 engines; soon to be released BF40, BF65 and BF105 Jet Models; and new for Miami, the redesigned BF40 and BF50 engines. All within a 24-month time span.

The 2017 Miami International Boat Show marks the debut of the “Destination Honda” display for Honda Marine. Destination Honda recognizes that there are some places you won’t find on a map, it’s a hardwired passion, it’s the yearning to chase another sunset. It’s a lifestyle.

The new Honda Marine display includes Honda products outside a traditional marine display, including the 2017 Acura NSX Supercar.  “Destination Honda” shows the breadth of the Honda corporate lineup for the full lifestyle of the marine customer.  From lawn and garden equipment to automobiles to jets, Honda is uniquely positioned to satisfy the mobility needs of a customer’s lifestyle.

Honda Marine also will spotlight the new Blackshear 200VSK skiff. Honda Marine entered into a partnership with H2O Sports Manufacturing, LLC in 2016 for the production of the Blackshear line of skiffs, which are exclusively powered by Honda Marine Engines.

Initially, the lineup will consist of two V-bottom skiff models, the 20-foot 200VSK and 22-foot 220VSK. Both are constructed with high quality boat building materials and exceptional craftsmanship.  Two additional models will later join the Blackshear line-up in 18-foot and 24-foot variations.  Honda Marine will ultimately supply the entire Blackshear model line with power ranging from the Honda BF50 to BF250.

The 2017 Miami International Boat Show marks the debut of Honda Marine’s refreshed 2017 BF40 and BF50 marine engines. 

With the new Honda signature “crouching form” design, a new multi-function tiller handle (late availability), a multi-function-display with trolling control and a new switch panel application for multiple engine installations, the refreshed Honda Marine engines deliver consumers upgrades they will appreciate every time they take out their boat.  In addition, the new BF40 and BF50 models have added a new freshwater water flushing hose for ease of maintenance, have reduced engine vibration at idle compared with the previous models and achieved Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) certification.

Honda Marine, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of marine outboard motors. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by four-stroke engines. Honda pioneered four-stroke engine technology and has been designing and building four-stroke outboard engines for more than 50 years, setting the benchmark for fuel efficiency, quiet operation and low emissions. With models ranging from 2.3 to 250 horsepower, the Honda Marine full line of current production models meets the rigorous California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-star standards, enabling availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states.