Evinrude, owned by Canada-based BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) since 2001, introduced the E-TEC G2 outboard motor in Milwaukee at its Global Reveal in June. The sleek, customizable and completely redesigned cowl comes with a choice of five side and top panel colors and 14 accent colors. The 3.4 liter, V6 engines range from 200 to 300 horsepower.
José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP, addressed the audience of 2,000 guests, including 500 dealers, distributors, builders and media from 58 countries. “Our outboard market shares over the past ten years have been flat,” he said. “One person told me the marine industry was not ready for such an aggressive change, but I think we are.”
With a blank sheet of paper, Director of Engineering George Broughton and his team set out five years ago to change the paradigm. “Breaking the rules was our intention,” he said. “We were going bold.”
Staying with its two-stroke, direct fuel injection technology, “because it’s simply the best technology for the outboard engine application,” the G2 series looks different and is built differently. Heavier than the previous generation E-TEC, the G2 motors integrate redundant systems and more components, including a two-gallon oil tank and power steering, into the engine.
Evinrude states the “clean-burning, fuel-efficient E-TEC G2 is the cleanest combustion outboard engine in the world,” with “75 percent fewer regulated emissions than competitive four-strokes,” “best in class torque,” and the 14:1 air to fuel ratio ensuring “every drop is burned, not wasted.” A four-bladed prop, designed for the G2, optimizes traction, speed and acceleration, with “superior” bow lift on larger boats, and it doesn’t slip in turns. The G2 warranty includes 500 engine hours with no scheduled dealer maintenance, allowing for the “most time on the water.”
Cables running from the engine for the fully integrated digital control system are encased in one “clean rigging” unit which remains rigid and in place when the engine is turned and frees up the coveted transom area.
One hundred years ago, Norwegian-born Ole Evinrude, known as the inventor of the first outboard motor with a practical commercial application, wanted to be able “to tell it’s an Evinrude from 100 yards away at dusk.” The G2 ends the century-old tradition.
Andre Cote, BRP Director of Advanced Concepts, asked, “Why don’t we match the engine color to the boat?” Goodbye Evinrude blue.
Side, top and front panels come in blue, silver, black, red and white with the signature swoosh, introduced in 2004, available in 14 colors.
Chris Dawson, BRP vice-president and general manager of Global Sales and Consumer Experience said, “These color choices blend into beautiful.”
