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Tedious: The current Merc 75-115 4-strokes use the overbuilt L-4 Verado block, which is 1.7 liters, and can produce up to 200 HP supercharged. So the new platform has a larger displacement block, which seems to be the trend with both Mercury and Yamaha for the naturally aspirated 4-strokes. A 90 horse engine with 2 liters displacement should be a powerhouse!

As to where they are built I have no information at all. But since the current 75-115's are built in Fond du Lac, I would think the new platform would be also. There has not been any news or indication of Mercury clsoing operations in WI and shipping jobs to China. conversely, I keep hearing that Mercury is expanding in Fond du Lac.

Only the 4-stroke 40-60's are ASSEMBLED in China, but those powerheads and most parts come from here, I believe.

Since Boston Whaler will most likely be one of the first Brunswick companies to start installing these new engines, such as the 90 on the 170 Montauks, they may be able to show us some early performance indications. I'll bet that 90 is going to put out at least 100 HP!

I found a picture of the new engines here:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-f...tform.html

Are these new lighter weight 4-strokes, now by both Mercury and the Japanese, eventually going to cause the end of the conventional 2-stroke 90's and 115's?