No Miami International Boat Show would be complete without something up my sleeve. This time, it’s the “younger brother” to Mercury Racing’s 1350 engine. (I just could not call this tough fella “little brother.”)

Ta dah!: Our 1,100 horsepower, twin turbo V-8 is here! Like the big guy, it’s a 9 liter, all aluminum, close cooled, quad-cam, four-valve engine. It begins production in April.

The 1100’s benefits are pretty straight forward: Compared to our 1075 SCi, it has a little more power and a lot more torque; compared to our 1350, it has a little less of each.  However, our new 1100 has over 1,100 lb-ft of torque on tap – in a wide RPM band all the way from 2,500 to 5,250! That’s more torque than our 1200 SCi engine! It delivers 1,100 horsepower at 6,500 RPM (red line). It requires less gasoline – less of it and lesser octane: It takes 89 (R+M)/2, mid-grade pump gas (the 1350 takes 91; the 1200 SCi takes 110 race gas!). The 1100 complies with EPA and CARB exhaust gas emissions limits. Maintenance requirements are less frequent, too. This is ideal power for offshore vees and cats.

Even with all its technology, our 1100 is offered at a price favorably comparable to Mercury Racing’s 1075 SCi. As good as our 1075 SCi is, it is out-performed in every metric by our newer technology. Therefore, the 1075 is discontinued. So too, is our 1200/1025 SCi dual fuel engine. Of course, refresh and service parts will continue for our SCi platform. Also, our 850 SCi through 525 EFI will remain in Mercury Racing’s product line.

Here are the 1100’s obvious physical changes from our 1350: A single throttle body, and an adjacent idle balance tube, replace the dual throttle bodies of a 1350. Foam air intake filters are standard. There is no front regulator cover. A carbon fiber top cover remains to help protect the electronics; however, the fuel regulator, throttle body, idle balance tube and intake runners are all in full view. This is the technical look of an unrepentant predator. If your taste runs toward the 1350’s style rather than techno-nudity, we offer an optional, carbon fiber dress kit accessory that includes a front cover plus port & starboard intake bullets. Among several less visible changes, the calibration is new (due to configuration differences) but function is very similar. It shifts just as sweetly and throttles just as effortlessly as our 1350.

Fortunately, it carries many similarities to its impressive, bigger sibling: The 1100 has an integrated, water-cooled, twin turbo exhaust system. It has digitally modulated boost control for big fat monster torque. It’s drive-by-wire. Multiple engines automatically synchronize RPM. Two levers control two, three or even four engines with “Shadow Mode” technology.  The 1100 has exactly the same electronically shifted transmission as the 1350. We offer many striking color options. Same as our 1350, the 1100 has a one year, limited warranty in recreational use.

The 1100 package comes standard with an NXT1 SSM sterndrive for 1.15 through 1.4 ratios (for light and very fast boats). The M8 sterndrive is optional with similar ratios for boats where the M8’s higher prop shaft location is preferred. Our M8 sterndrive is required with bigger gear reductions: specifically, 1.53 or 1.69 ratios (for more richly appointed, but still fast boats).

Suggested retail price is $172,700 for an 1100 and NXT1 SSM package.
Suggested retail price is $183,690 for an 1100 and M8 package.
Suggested retail is $4,995 for carbon (port and starboard intakes plus front cover).

As these things go, our new 1100 package is a lot of bang for the buck: Plenty of power and oodles of torque; it is fast and strong. Major technology is merged with megawatts of style. On mid-grade gas and with a one year limited warranty, it goes far and long. Lots to love, my brother-in-speed! Lots to love.