Mercury Marine has added a pair of 6.2-liter, V-8 engines to its MerCruiser stern-drive power line. The 377-cubic-inch engines are available in 300- and 350-hp versions according to a press release from the Fond du Lac, Wis., marine engine, propeller and accessories company. The engines are replacing the existing 350 MAG platform in the MerCruiser engine line.

“With the introduction of our new 6.2-liter V-8 stern-drive engines, Mercury continues to build on its success of designing and manufacturing propulsion systems that deliver the most intuitive, powerful, worry-free, smooth and quiet boating experience,” said John Pfeifer, the president of Mercury Marine, in the release.

Like the MerCruiser 4.5L V-6 platform for 200-hp and 250-hp engines, the 6.2L V-8s were designed and built in house at Mercury Marine specifically for marine use rather than adapting and marinizing an automotive engine. That enabled the company, according to the release, to build a pair of engines “not burdened with automotive restrictions and unnecessary technologies that result in additional cost and complexity without adding value.”

Design features of the MerCruiser 6.2L engine include a long runner scrolled intake manifold that optimizes air flow for higher torque, which reportedly translates to stronger acceleration and improved boat performance. The engine also offers Adaptive Speed Control, which automatically maintains a set rpm point regardless of load or condition changes, such as tight turns, tow-sport activities and lower speeds on plane.

“The new 6.2-liter V-8 engine is another outstanding example of a Mercury product designed from the ground up with technologies, design features and materials that deliver unmatched value to our marine customers,” said David Foulkes, chief technology officer for Brunswick Corporation and vice president of Mercury product development, engineering and Racing in the release.

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For a closer look at the new MerCruiser 6.2L stern-drive package, check out the slideshow above.

An air-intake resonator suppresses harsh sound frequencies throughout the engine operation range for a dramatically quieter experience, while an all-new, aft-facing throttle body directs noise away from the cockpit for easier conversation. “Larger and optimized” engine mounts isolate undesirable engine vibration and reduce resonant vibration sounds.

The 6.2L features a maintenance center near the top-front section of the engine, ensuring that consumer “touch-points”— including oil filter and fill— are easily identifiable and accessible. In addition, the valve train is maintenance-free for the life of the engine, and a QR code on the engine’s service label allows smartphone users to access “how-to” videos online. The 6.2L V-8 also boasts a “season extending” drain system design to extend “transition times” between boating seasons, according to the release.

Ease of maintenance on the MerCruiser 6.2L includes the elimination of the traditional 20-hour service. Both the 300- and 350 engines qualify for Mercury’s current Power of Protection Sales Event, providing five years of coverage—two years of Mercury Limited Warranty and three years of Mercury Extended Service. The 6.2L also comes with three years of anti-corrosion warranty.

Pricing has not been released.

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