GENOA, Italy., October 1, 2011 - Honda Motor Europe Ltd. unveiled the all-new flagship outboard the BF250, a 4-stroke 250-horsepower engine at the Genoa International Boat Show in Italy. The BF250 is scheduled to go on sale across Europe from January 2012.

The BF250 combines a new 3.6-liter V6 engine, the largest in Honda's lineup, with the world's first^*1 direct air induction system for an outboard. This new system ensures the boat operator achieves a combination of high performance and low fuel consumption.

The BF250's styling is a departure from other Honda outboards in that the aesthetic design is sleeker and slimmer. The hood exhibits a sharper, angular profile over previously introduced models. The overall design is streamlined and more aero-dynamic with chrome lines conveying power and speed.

The BF250 has been introduced with an all new colour Aquamarine Silver Metallic. This combined with the striking new exterior design makes the BF250 worthy of its flagship model status.

The BF250 features Honda's unique BLAST ^*2 technology, a unique ignition timing control system that greatly improves hole-shot performance during periods of rapid acceleration from low to mid engine speeds.

The BF250 is equipped with an advanced lean burn fuel control system, ECOmo^*3 that contributes to the engines class leading^*4 fuel economy. This highly advanced and sophisticated technology ensures the BF250 provides excellent fuel economy at cruising speeds.

The BF250 features an all new high performance gear case styling which provides enhanced levels of underwater hydrodynamic efficiency. This combined with a new gear reduction ratio (2:1) and a large range of propellers (up to 16" diameter) provides high levels of all round performance.

Shifting effort is further enhanced by introduction of a new Shifting Load Reduction control system. To support the boat user's operating characteristics, the ECU (Engine Control Unit) will modify the ignition timing, resulting in modified engine torque to lessen the shift load required.

A class leading^*5 battery charging system enables the BF250 to deal with the increasing customer demand for additional on board electrical power. During idle speed, a new Adjustable Idle Charge system automatically adjusts engine speed via the ECU to raise the charging rate when an increased electrical load is detected.

Key features of all-new BF250 outboard engine:

High Performance

BF250 performance has been achieved by introducing a new 3.6L V6 engine incorporating Hondas unique VTECTM, BLASTTM technologies and a world first DIRECT AIR INTAKE system. Hondas direct air system is designed to reduce intake air temperature which increases air volume to the engine, resulting in increased power.

Quote from Martin Sanders, General Manager, Honda Marine, Europe.

With the introduction of BF250 the year 2012 will be many firsts for Honda Marine. We will enter the next power range of the market with revolutionary technologies that will further enhance the Honda outboard range and strengthen the brand across Europe. The addition of the BF250 to our engine line up will allow us to continue to build on the success of our European dealer network and forge stronger relationships with our existing and future Boat Builder partners.

*1,*4,*5,*6,*8

Honda's internal research as of the end of September 2011

*2

Honda's proprietary acceleration-enhancing technology, the BLAST system boosts torque during sudden acceleration by simultaneously optimizing the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing.

*3

An O2 sensor in the exhaust manifold measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas. Based upon this data the ECU will optimize fuel injection allowing high levels of economy particularly in cruising mode. This I referred to as the Honda ECO-mo mode.

*7

PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) is a Honda registered trademark.