Honda Marine, McLaren Performance Partner to Produce High Performance M300 Outboard

Honda Marine and McLaren Performance have announced a partnership to boost Honda’s existing 250-hp outboard to produce a 300-hp engine, filling an absent slot in the company’s high-performance line.

The new McLaren 300 Outboard represents a new gambit into the marine power industry for McLaren.

The company says the M300 engine is based on the existing high-power Honda BF250 marine platform. Using its engineering technology expertise, McLaren Engineering is performance-tuning the base 250’s for enhanced top-end power and mid-range torque. The result is a performance-inspired outboard that delivers enhanced top-end power of 300 hp—and bears the revered McLaren co-brand.

Precision Engineering for Enhanced Power

McLaren Performance modifications to the Honda V6 include:

•    Integration of a new camshaft for enhanced valve timing and high lift
•    A new Engine Control Unit (ECU) that controls protection and boosts efficiencies (IG mapping, knock control)
•    New fuel injectors for higher fuel supply. 

The company says that the engine will run best on 90-octane, and that tests indicate good fuel efficiency despite the added power. 

McLaren Engineering's parent, Linamar Corporation, has been a supplier to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for 10 years, demonstrating its expertise in high-precision, high-quality engine component manufacturing.

Per McLaren, reliability of Honda Marine outboards makes Honda the preferred partner to collaborate with on product offerings and solutions that benefit customers on critical fuel economy, emissions, cost and quality needs.

The new agreement allows McLaren Engineering to sell the McLaren Performance M300 models (Honda OLPs) to selected Honda-affiliated OEMs, providing boat builders with greater flexibility in serving recreational marine customers in the 24’ (7.3 m) and up boat segment. The new McLaren Performance M300 engines also will enhance options in the high-power segment of the Honda Marine lineup.

A Closer Look

The all-new McLaren Performance M300 engines are based on the existing high-power Honda BF250 hp marine platform, the proven Honda 3.6-liter V6 engine that integrates Honda durability, quality, reliability and performance-leading technologies including:

•    Honda VTEC® provides a unique blend of power, torque and efficiency (an example of shared technology with Honda vehicles, demonstrating proven Honda engineering across businesses).
•    Honda Intelligent Shift and Throttle® (iST®) command and control system delivers superb control plus plug-and-play installation of Honda Marine products and third-party controls and devices.
•    Programmed Fuel Injection delivers precise amounts of fuel and air to each cylinder, for easy starting, instant throttle response and low fuel consumption / excellent fuel efficiency.
•    Dual channel, indirect-air-circuit induction system for optimal airflow, directs moisture away from throttle body; 2-pass cooling system for long-term durability.
•    Tough corrosion resistance: Honda Corrosion Protection System components incorporate high-corrosion resistant aluminum alloy; fresh-water flush port directs debris and saltwater out of engine; extreme-duty, durable gear case.
•    Engine Alert System monitors vital engine functions / alerts operator of engine function status.
•    Easy Ownership, Simplified Maintenance: reduced maintenance time for routine tasks; 3-latch lock & seal cover design; NMEA 2000 compatibility for interface of engine data with on-board systems and systems displays.
•    Honda True 5 Warranty: transferable, non-declining, five-year warranty.

The Competition

Why didn’t Honda just detune their 350 to make a 300-hp engine? 

Weight was likely the deciding factor—plus the McLaren partnership and logo gives their marketing efforts for the new 300 a running start.

Mercury’s 300 Verado is a V8 weighing 600 lbs. (272.2 kg) in lightest version. Yamaha’s 300 is a 4.2 L V6 weighing 551(249.9 kg) in mechanical version. Suzuki’s lightest 300 V6 weighs 604 lbs. (274 kg). 

Honda’s BF 350 weighs 765 lbs. (347 kg) in lightest version. 

So, detuning that engine to fill the 300-hp slot would not be a great option in terms of pounds per horsepower. Honda’s 250 weighs 609 lbs. (276.2 kg) in lightest version, so boosted to 300 hp it’s competitive. 

What Stands Behind the Brand

McLaren Engineering is a developer of complete vehicle powertrain and driveline systems for the global market of electrified and traditionally powered vehicles. McLaren Engines Inc. was the engineering backbone supporting a 55-year track record in racing distinction established when motorcar driver, designer, engineer and inventor Bruce McLaren created a North American racing unit. 

The McLaren Engines team achieved legendary success racing in Can Am, Indy Car, IMSA and LeMans series. This same racing heritage continues to inspire McLaren Engineering development teams, fueling their focus on the continued advancement of innovative product technology, per the company.

To underscore the McLaren Engineering commitment to the new partnership and the significance of the endeavor for both partners, McLaren Engineering developed a new brand identity for the McLaren Performance line of marine engines. The brand name was chosen to land squarely on the concept of performance as the vision for the collaboration between Honda and McLaren Engineering, per the company. 

A new logo integrates the McLaren Engines racing heritage with the McLaren Engineering ownership by Linamar, while the logo colors encompass the persimmon color of the Linamar logo, along with two cool shades of marine blue. In a nod to the past, the logo encompasses three stylized graphics representing kiwi birds borrowed from the McLaren Racing logo from the late 1960s reflecting Bruce McLaren's New Zealand heritage. 

Expanding a Long-Term Partnership

This new collaboration between McLaren Engineering and Honda Marine strengthens the relationship between two formidable technology partners, each with distinct and complementary strengths. The McLaren Engineering-Honda relationship dates to 2014 when McLaren Engineering's parent, Linamar Corporation, began supplying components to the American Honda engines manufacturing facility in Anna, Ohio. As a supplier to Honda for the past 10 years, McLaren has demonstrated its expertise in high-precision, high-quality engine component manufacturing. 

"Our work at McLaren Engineering is designed to help Linamar enhance value for our customers and meet future market needs, and we look forward to collaborating with a partner who is equally committed to performance excellence in product offerings. The unparalleled reliability of Honda Marine outboards, powered by four-stroke engines that integrate with performance-leading, exclusive technologies, makes Honda the preferred partner to collaborate with on product offerings and solutions that benefit marine customers on critical fuel economy, emissions, cost and quality needs," said Mark Stoddart, Linamar Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

For its part in the collaboration, Honda Marine draws on the technological prowess of its parent company—from generators to motorcycles to automobiles to jets, Honda produces millions of engines per year, with technology and economy of scale benefiting boating customers. 

Honda and McLaren Engineering designed features into the McLaren Performance M300 to build on the Honda reputation of superior dependability and decreased maintenance, adding up to peace of mind for the owner, more time on water and more pleasure with the boating experience, per the company.

"Our collaboration with McLaren Engineering to enhance marine engine technology, coupled with the recent introduction of our new BF350 marine engine, illustrate our next-level strategy and how we intend to move forward with the Honda Marine business to make our customers successful," said Daniel Sherlock, Director, Honda Marine Division. "Honda Marine is transforming, and our mission is to be a marine mobility leader. We are capitalizing on the technology of Honda worldwide and further developing strategic alliances that produce performance-inspired power product offerings that make extraordinary boating experiences possible."

More information about the McLaren Performance M300 engine is available at https://marine.honda.com/outboards/mclaren-performance

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