Honda Introduces BF60 4-Stroke Mid-Range Outboard Engine Featuring Best-in-Class Acceleration and Fuel Economy

Tokyo, May 14, 2009; Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today began sales of the BF60 midrange 4-stroke outboard engine at Honda outboard engine dealers throughout Japan.

A lightweight, compact, water-cooled, 3-cylinder, 60PS outboard engine, the new BF60 features PGM-FI(1) electronic fuel injection, Honda's original BLAST(2) (Boosted Low Speed Torque) air/fuel ratio and ignition-timing technology and lean-burn control to deliver a combination of best-in-class acceleration and fuel economy.

The BF60's battery charging performance, also best-in-class(3), helps support the everincreasing need for onboard device power. Convenient and easy to use, the BF60 is available with advanced features to accommodate a wide variety of boats and applications, including power thrust, multifunction bar handle and large rudder angle for enhanced turning performance.

Annual sales target

5,600 units (Japan: 250 units; Regions outside Japan: 5,350 units)

Manufacturer's suggested retail price

BF60A LRTN: JPY 990,150 (JPY 943,000 before tax)
BFP60A LRTN (with power thrust feature): JPY 1,021,650 (JPY 973,000 before tax)


Key Features of the BF60

Acceleration and cruising performance

- Acceleration performance through simultaneous, computer-controlled optimization of the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing.
- Best-in-class maximum speed was achieved through weight reduction technologies such as the compact 3-cylinder engine layout developed exclusively for this 60PS outboard engine as well as reduced hydrodynamic drag by adoption of a streamlined gear case.
- The large splash plate helps reduce water splash during operation.

Fuel economy

- The PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system and lean-burn(4) control during cruising(5) allow the BF60 to offer best-in-class(6) fuel economy.

Lightweight and compact

- The BF60 is one of the lightest and most compact engines in its class due to its compact inline 3-cylinder layout and the use of lightweight materials in the aluminum mount frame, plastic oil strainer and plastic long-branch inlet manifold.

Exceptional usability

- The new alternator is fitted with a multi-polar ACG to achieve best-in-class(7) 22-ampere battery charging capacity.
- The optional power thrust feature, which includes an oversized gear case, allows for the use of a higher-specification, larger-diameter (BF115 class) propeller with a low 2.33 gear ratio for low-rpm, high-thrust power.
- The bar handle version allows for the widest-in-class rudder angle(8), enhancing turning performance. (Optional parts enable the remote control steering versions to also gain this feature.)
- The multifunction bar handle includes a throttle grip with an integrated power trim and tilt switch for convenient trim control during steering. Adjustable settings include throttle grip friction and handle height, and the shift lever is left-right reversible.
- As standard equipment, a trolling control switch located in the bar handle allows for 50 rpm-increment control in the 750-1,000 rpm range. A buzzer indicates switches to and from trolling mode and incremental rpm adjustments.
- Compliance with the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) 2000(R) Standard for Serial Data allows for use with a wide range of marine electronic devices.

Durability

- The timing belt is made of special durable materials, and sacrificial anode metal in the coolant pathway helps prevent corrosion.

Design

- The next-generation premium compact wedge design communicates the exceptional acceleration performance and quality of Honda's outboard engines.

Environmental performance

- Emissions performance meets both U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 2009 standards and CARB (California Air Resources Board) standards while significantly surpassing voluntary targets in Japan.
- The plastic inlet manifold and large-capacity idle chamber help minimize noise.
- Unit is 97% recyclable (Honda calculations).

(1) PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) is a registered Honda trademark.
(2) Honda's proprietary acceleration-enhancing technology, the BLAST system boosts torque during sudden
acceleration by simultaneously optimizing the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing.
(3) Honda calculations
(4) The mode in which lean-burn control is used during cruising to achieve higher fuel economy is referred to as ECOmo (Economy COntrolled Motor) mode.
(5) Operation at 50-80% of full throttle
(6) Honda calculations
(7) Honda calculations
(8) Maximum rudder angle is 50 degrees left/right (Honda calculations).

About Honda

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com .