Honda Marine expanded its award-winning lineup of fuel-injected four-stroke outboard engines with the all-new BF60. Introduced at the 2009 Miami International Boat Show, the 60 horsepower outboard still is a prototype model; Honda plans to officially introduce the new engine to consumers this summer. Although Honda did not discuss specifications for the new outboard during the show, company executives indicated that the new BF60 will offer several Honda-exclusive technologies, light weight, and exceptional fuel efficiency.
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"Honda Marine continues to raise the standard for fuel efficiency and performance," said John Fulcher, senior manager, Honda Marine. "The all-new BF60 continues that tradition, and reinforces Honda Marine's strong commitment to market needs and the boating industry."
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Honda also announced that it ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Four-Stroke Outboard Engines" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Marine Engine Competitive Information Study, the fourth such honor the company has received in the past five years. "The acknowledgement by J.D. Power and Associates illustrates that Honda is dedicated to providing exceptional sales and service to consumers," Fulcher said.
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Honda also introduced its new state-of-the-art Engine Research Facility. Located in central Florida, the facility serves as the domestic testing grounds and market research headquarters for Honda's full line of four-stroke outboards. The 11,000-square-foot facility is expected to earn a Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Green building features include flooring made of quickly renewable bamboo, energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and faucets, low-VOC paint, carpet and adhesives and non-CFC refrigerants. Additionally, approximately five percent of the site is being converted to a permanent conservation easement to help protect and preserve wetlands and wildlife.
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Honda Marine pioneered four-stroke engine technology, setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions. Honda's outboards share the same unparalleled durability, quality, and reliability of its legendary automobiles. With models ranging from 2 to 225 horsepower, Honda Marine's full line of current production models meets rigorous California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star standards, ensuring their availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states.
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