By Alex Julius
Canadian BRP engineers were told to start from scratch with the design of the Evinrude E-TEC G2, and to come up with the most-advanced, most-fuel-efficient, most-power-for-weight and most-reliable outboard engine ever built.
Rushcutter’s Bay Sailing Club is a long way from Darwin, where I live. However, it’s less than 10km from where I grew up: North Bondi. So there was a bit of nostalgia for me personally to fly down last May and join in the equipment testing and festivities of Club BRP 2015.
BRP stands for Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian company with a range of mechanical products, including: Evinrude E-TEC outboard motors, Sea-Doo Watercraft, and Can-Am (ATVs, side-by-sides and Roadsters). These were all on display at Club BRP.
The new Evinrude E-TEC G2s were officially launched in Australia at Club Marine, and I managed to have a play with them and also with Can-Am ATVs and side-by-sides. Play is definitely the operative word: I don’t think I stepped into a boat or offroad vehicle that didn’t have me hanging on with uproarious desperation for much of the ride.
Play is definitely the operative word: I don’t think I stepped into a boat or offroad vehicle that didn’t have me hanging on with uproarious desperation for much of the ride.
These new Evinrude G2s are something else. They have a prodigious power-to-weight ratio, an incredible fuel efficiency and a left-field sporty appearance that is just plain spunky. Incredibly, they also come with Evinrude’s new 5-5-5: 5-year engine warranty, 5-year corrosion warranty, and 500 hours with no dealer-scheduled maintenance. That’s certainly making a statement.
Something I didn’t realise until I attended Club BRP is that Canadian BRP engineers were told to start from scratch with the design of the G2, and to come up with the most advanced, most fuel efficient, most powerful for weight and most reliable outboard engine ever. To achieve this, they dedicated months studying engine thermodynamics using advanced computational fluid dynamics software developed by the University of Wisconsin. They chose to craft the entire engine around the moment of combustion and developed the first outboard engine block designed specifically for direct-injection technology.
They chose to craft the entire engine around the moment of combustion…
With the freedom to develop any technology, they chose to stand by direct-injection two-stroke, claiming it’s simply the best technology for the outboard engine application. The results are impressive. The following is taken directly from BRP literature, but I can tell you it’s worth the read:
EVINRUDE E-TEC G2 EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGIES
PurePower Combustion With the help of computer modeling, we looked inside an operating engine and created the most efficient piston/cylinder design in the industry, giving you better performance while also providing 15% more fuel efficiency versus competitive outboards.
Starboard-Starboard Engine Design We’ve turned the outboard industry “on its side”. With the new Starboard-Starboard design, you get faster acceleration, better hole shots and more towing power as well as a more reliable engine.
Dual Axis Rigging System No more clutter in the back of your boat. The Dual Axis Rigging System routes engine cables through just one tube, giving you more useable space at the transom while creating less friction and premature wear.
i-Trim System Another exclusive Evinrude E-TEC G2 feature is the i-Trim system. i-Trim automatically trims the boat out for any given speed and can make even the most novice of drivers trim their boat like a pro.
SLX Gear Case The all-new, sleek, hydrodynamic SLX gear case reduces steering effort without sacrificing speed. The straight leading edge is designed to shed weeds and maintain ample water flow to the engine.
Dynamic Power Steering Dynamic Power Steering is integrated directly into the midsection. The three levels of assistance are designed to adapt steering resistance to the boat application, delivering superior handling and more control in tight turns and big water.
According to BRP, the Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboard engine delivers unrivalled performance with best-in-class torque and fuel efficiency and lowest total emissions. Available in sizes 200 HO to 300RAVE, the new E-TEC G2 engine offers the first and only customisable look, plus clean rigging and fully-integrated digital controls. These innovations now allow consumers to choose the absolute perfect combination of boat and engine by selecting top and front panels, as well as accent colours that match