Honda launches BF350, its all new 350hp V8

The new engine, featuring a benchmark-setting 60-degree narrow-angle bank, also incorporates Honda’s technologies that increase power while reducing fuel use, including VTEC (Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control) which improves top-end performance on Honda’s 100hp to 250hp outboard engines by changing the camshaft profile and valve lift to suit conditions.

The engine also adopts Honda’s BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) ignition advance system to produce more power at low revs.

Both technologies are already used across Honda’s existing outboard engine range, which tops out with the 3.6-litre, 250hp Honda BF250 based on the L35 V6 engine block.

According to Honda, its new BF350 “offers impressively low noise and vibration, whilst delivering a new distinctive, rich sound and exhilarating performance, with every feature designed to enhance the boating experience”.

Those features include a number of technologies designed to make life much easier for the skipper.

Of note, the new Honda BF350 gains cruise control based on the trolling function, allowing skippers to adjust the boat’s cruising speed via the engine’s control head. It means the skipper can set the revs all the way from the BF350's 650rpm idle right up to the 6000rpm redline. The trolling function will still operate between 650-1000rpm in 50rpm increments.

The engine also adopts an automatic tilt-stop system that will automatically tilt the BF350 up to stop at a pre-determined angle. This is important for boats with smaller engine wells where fully tilting up the engine could damage the boat or the engine’s cowling.

For those owners who have no trouble with space on the transom, a double tap on the trim button will automatically raise the engine to full tilt.

Making its debut on this engine are three levels of trim assist designed to help lift a boat up onto the plane and then trim it to its most fuel-efficient level. Helping this system is the BF350’s integrated O sensor that monitors the flow of air and fuel into the engine that can precisely manage the air-to-fuel mix to ensure the engine is running at its optimum fuel use.

The new engine also comes with a new drive-by-wire throttle and shift controller finished in a leather grain that adds a five-button multifunction panel and a high-visibility neutral indicator to ensure you’re only out of gear when you want to be.

The drive-by-wire technology allows skippers with multiple engines to control them using a single throttle lever when individual control is not needed.

Because of the narrow 60-degree bank of the engine block, the engine is just 650mm wide, making them easy to stack along a transom.

The new engine is made to power boats from 7.0 metres in length and larger and will come in a choice of Honda's traditional silver, or white.

The Honda BF350 is expected to arrive in Australia next year, with a Honda Marine Australia spokesman saying pricing is likely to be announced closer to its launch on the Australian market.

Honda offers an industry-leading seven-year warranty on its outboard engines in Australia.