Kawasaki to add cheaper supercharged model to its jet ski range
We get the drop on what appears to be an entry-level performance variant for the jet ski maker’s walk-up modelKawasaki is believed to be preparing for an entry-level supercharged variant for its jet ski line-up as it makes over the range for the 2020 model year.
Documents seen by boatsales.com.au suggest the new smooth water specialist model, which will wear a “STX-15F Supecharged” badge when it launches potentially sometime this year, will also feature new stadium seating for three that places the rearmost passenger higher than the driver.
It will also likely be red rather than the standard green used for the entry-level STX-15F on the Australian market.
>> 2019 Kawasaki Jet Ski range launches in Australia
The model makeover also gives the jet ski maker a beachhead against much fresher low-cost rivals, including the Sea-Doo Spark Trixx launched late last year alongside a dedicated FishPro model optimised for angling, and the Yamaha Waverunner EXR line that underwent an extensive makeover last year.
Both rival entry-level models do not offer supercharged versions of their products.
Boatsales.com.au has enough information at hand to have a crack at how we think the new entry-level supercharged model will look. The tiered seating is all-new to the STX-15F range, wirth the personal watercraft also expected to wear the higher front cowling of its more performance-oriented Ultra model range.
The chined hull and the dash layout on the new entry-level supercharged model are expected to remain the same.
Running changes
The Kawasaki jet ski range was slightly updated late last year to include features such as a beginner’s mode that dulls the throttle response for novice riders, and a high-end audio system to the more expensive models.
In contrast, last year both the Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRider received major mechanical and engineering changes including more performance and radically redesigned hulls.
Even though it is likely to share the same engine, Kawasaki’s walk-up supercharged model is not expected to serve up the same level of performance as the race-proven Kawasaki Ultra 250X, which will continue to stand as the quickest and most powerful jet ski on sale globally.
However, it is expected to adapt some of the same switchable mode settings that throttle some of the more powerful engine’s performance in the interests of ensuring the rider is always completely in control, no matter what their skill level.
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