zuki Marine is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and its marine engine lineup defines them now more than ever before. Suzuki has grown from producing the D55 back in 1965 to offering the largest lineup of fuel-injected four-stroke outboards in the market today with models ranging from 9.9 to 300hp, and 2.5 to 6hp carbureted models.) Suzuki is also on the forefront of technology, producing some of the lightest marine engines, averaging as much as 30 pounds less than their competitors.
“We have more four-stroke, fuel-injected outboards than any of our competitors,” stated George “Gus” Blakely, general manager of national sales, planning and development in the Marine Division. “We think that is an important feature for people to know.”
Being part of the development team of Suzuki, Blakely is able to work on new products and guide the company’s marketing effort. He also keeps Suzuki current when it comes to trends and technology in the boating industry, including the continued growth of the pontoon market.
“We’re focused on pontoon boats,” Blakely said, “because outboards are installed on 90 to 95 percent of all those boats.”
At Suzuki, innovation is central to their product development strategy, so they’re continually researching and developing new ways to enhance and improve their products.
Blakely recently returned from the Long Beach Fred Hall Show that is dedicated to the recreational outdoor enthusiast. Blakely stated that Suzuki has noted a dramatic resurgence in outdoor recreational activities since the downturn in the economy.
“The Fred Hall Show is a great show, drawing a lot of interest, lots of people; it’s always fun,” Blakely remarked. “It’s a hunting, fishing, and tackle show for the most part, but people come for boats and to discover other new outdoor recreational activities wants and needs.”
“In general, four-stroke outboards are becoming more popular than inboard, sterndrive engines,” Blakely continued. “Four-stroke outboards are quiet, reliable and fuel efficient, and these are all things people are looking for, especially in the pontoon market.”
Celebrating 50 Years
Last year was a great year for the company; they won their eighth innovation award for their battery-less fuel injection system on their new next generation 25A and 30A outboards, and 2015 promises to be just as exciting.
For its anniversary, Suzuki has planned a few extra tributes to the impressive milestone. To begin the event, Suzuki held an online, social media photo contest. The winners of the contest, “One Ride to Paradise,” won an Edo Kiriko, Japanese traditional faceted glass and a jigsaw puzzle of the winning image. Suzuki has also announced a Limited Edition 300hp outboard with an all matte black paint job and commemorative 50th Anniversary decal, which will be available later this year.
Second Generation Models
Generally, a Suzuki engine is available for five to seven years before a redesign is planned. Typically, Suzuki starts the redesign with the lowest horsepower output engines and releases new models in ever increasing horsepower, which has been the case with its second generation outboards. Because the small engines were developed first, they are therefore the oldest in the line. Redesign goals typically center on offering more performance and fuel economy, but numerous factors are explored and improved upon.
Suzuki’s second generation engines are perfect for repowering slightly older model boats because of their lightweight designs. Boats using older two-stroke engines will notice the quieter sound and increased fuel economy of a new Suzuki four-stroke outboard; in fact, these new outboards are so quiet, you may not hear them running when idling at the dock.
New For 2015
For the 2015 model year, Suzuki released a new 200hp in-line four cylinder, four-stroke outboard, the DF200A, in December. The DF200AP, featuring Suzuki Precision Control and Suzuki Select Rotation, was released this spring.
Precision Control Difference
Different models of DF200A are available, including the base mechanical model with conventional throttle and shift, and the Suzuki Precision Control model, the DF200AP.
The Precision Control model features Suzuki’s electronic throttle and shift controls, and also includes Suzuki Selective Rotation technology, previously available only on the 300 and 250hp models. With Selective Rotation, a simple plug changes the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the propeller without requiring a new gear case.
Advantages of the Selective Rotation technology include dealerships only having to carry one model of engine and not two because of the plug. This simplifies the dealership’s engine configurations, inventory, and positively affects their sales. For consumers, used counter-rotation engines were often difficult to sell, as well. Both dealerships and consumer benefit from the Selective Rotation technology, as people are more likely to buy a used DF200AP because they are more versatile.
“A first for the 200hp is that they also have Suzuki precision maneuvering—a joystick control that was previously only available on the flagship engines,” according to Blakely. “Suzuki is bringing joystick control to more boaters with dual outboard installations. We’re even seeing installations on pontoon boats with twin outboards.”
No Replacement For Displacement
The lighter, more compact four-cylinder DF200A replaces the V6 DF200, providing the kind of power and performance boaters would expect from a V6 outboard. To produce an in-line 4-cylinder engine that could meet their performance and fuel economy goals, Suzuki developed a new engine with 2.9-liter “Big-Block” displacement and semi-direct air intake system. The result? Cooler air to the cylinders with increased breathing efficiency, which directly increases the acceleration and top-end speed.
As the saying goes, “There is no replacement for displacement.” Displacement is the total volume of air and fuel mixture an engine can draw during one complete engine cycle. In other words: the greater the displacement, the greater the torque.
Suzuki also raised the compression in the combustion chamber from 9.5:1 to 10.2:1 to provide more power from every rev. The DF200A has an offset drive shaft, which moves the engine weight forward. It also doubles the gear reduction, increasing the gear ratio and allowing the engine to turn larger diameter propellers.
These improvements increase the response of the hole-shot, midrange speeds, and for water sports and towables. Knock, oxygen sensors and a water detecting system were included to increase engine performance and reliability.
They gain more than 80 pounds weight savings over the previous V6 DF200, which increases economy and performance.
The gains in the DF200A’s fuel economy are built on Lean Burn Technology. Designed to precisely control the fuel/air mixture, Lean Burn engines continually adjust the air-to-fuel ratio when the boat is cruising to ensure that fuel is not being wasted. Lean Burn leans out the fuel mixture, resulting in fuel savings of $20 to $60 a month. Most of Suzuki fuel-injected outboards utilize Lean Burn from the 9.9hp to the flagship 300hp engine.
The new Suzuki DF200A is available in Cool White and Shadow Black Metallic, and is available in 20-inch and 25-inch shaft lengths.
Future Looks Even Better
Commemorating the release of its very first outboard, Suzuki has restored an original D55, and will be displaying it at events throughout the boating community this year. With the last 50 years of Suzuki history in the books, everyone eagerly awaits Suzuki’s next 50 years in the industry. Who knows what that will bring to the pontooning and outboard world?
