Mercury Racing Unveils New 500hp Outboard
Mercury Racing has introduced a 500hp supercharged V8 outboard for owners of fast luxury sport boats. The V8 500R introduces a host of new components engineered to complement the raw power produced by the engine and the challenging demands of extreme-performance boating.
“Capable of delivering more than 500 horsepower in a wide range of conditions, and weighing as little as 720 pounds, the 500R establishes a new benchmark for outboard power density,” says Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. “This motor offers incredible mid-range punch and pulls with unrelenting authority all the way to wide-open throttle. This is the most exciting production outboard to ever emerge from the Mercury Racing shop.”
The 500R delivers 50 more horsepower and 10% higher torque than the 450R model. Its 4.6-liter 64-degree V8 FourStroke powerhead is boosted by an exclusive Mercury Racing supercharger. The engine is designed to perform on pump fuel with a minimum 89-octane (95 RON) rating.
To handle this new level of power and to satisfy the most demanding performance boat owners, the 500R features upgraded component designs in the powerhead, cooling system, midsection and steering system.
An all-new, 5.9” diameter gearcase, available in R-Drive and R-Drive Sport configurations, efficiently transfers the power to the water while delivering outstanding durability, handling characteristics, and cooling.
The 500R is available in four lengths – 20”, 25”, 30” and 35” – to accommodate any single or multi-engine performance application. The 26-inch center-to-center mounting distance on multi-engine transoms enables seamless installations on new boats and repower applications.
Stout Powerhead
While the 500R model is based on the same 4.6-liter V8 powerhead as the 450R model, the engine has been upgraded with a number of new components intended to support the scaled-up power output. A stout new crankshaft specific to the 500R model rides in 230-degree groove main bearings for improved oiling and features larger, more robust 1-inch driveshaft splines.
Connecting rods, rod bearings and pistons are strengthened to handle increased combustion pressure and a higher 6600 RPM redline. A new low-inertia flywheel allows the engine RPM to climb faster for improved acceleration.
Supercharger boost pressure is increased by 26% compared to the 450R model. To accommodate increased airflow demand, the 500R features a new attenuator with a larger intake. Throttle body diameter is increased by 15% from 80mm to 92mm, and the shape of the supercharger inlet is redesigned to improve flow. The charge air cooler fin density and flow pattern are optimized to improve efficiency.
Humidity Compensation Technology
To promote consistent performance in a broad range of atmospheric conditions, the 500R outboard is equipped with a new sensor located in the intake attenuator to measure the humidity level of the incoming air. This allows the engine ECM to combine reported humidity with air pressure and air temperature data to determine the ideal spark timing for prevailing conditions.
New Midsection: Advanced Racing Core
The 500R is the first Mercury Racing product to feature the exclusive Advanced Racing Core (ARC), a new midsection that upgrades durability and performance. A stronger, redesigned transom plate can accommodate three inches of vertical adjustment via seven transom mounting holes, twice the adjustment range available with the six-hole 450R transom plate.
An enhanced trim system features two main hydraulic rams plus two new booster rams for added trim authority under full load, and the speed of the trim adjustment, like the 450R, is reduced to permit very fine resolution for more-precise trim adjustment at high speeds.
The Mercury hydraulic power steering system has been upgraded to deliver more steering authority, now producing 18% more torque than the 450R power steering system. To support this added steering torque, a newly designed steering arm, steering tube and steering cylinder are 20% stronger, with an upgraded tube material changed from aluminium to stainless steel.
Introducing R-Drive
Mercury Racing has designed an all-new gearcase specifically for the 500R outboard. R-Drive is available in two versions to accommodate a variety of applications, and both versions feature a crescent leading edge and long aspect torpedo hydrodynamically tuned for high speeds.
The base R-Drive version is designed to perform well in submerged and transition applications on boats capable of speeds between 85-100 mph, beyond the speed range of the Mercury Racing 5.44 HD gearcase.
The R-Drive Sport version is optimized for ultra-high-speed surfacing applications, primarily high-performance catamarans and centre consoles capable of regularly reaching speeds beyond 100 mph.
Three colour options are offered for the Mercury Racing 500R model: Phantom Black or Cold Fusion White are finished with Mercury Racing graphics and Devil Eye Red trim.
The 500R is covered by a three-year limited factory warranty with up to five additional years of Mercury Product Protection extended factory warranty available.