The recent release of the long-awaited Verado 350 SCi has generated a lot of excitement, and along with that some great questions and discussion topics. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood subjects is the Verado 350 SCi’s fuel grade requirement, and why it differs between models sold in the US vs. EU (European Union) countries.

The EPA (US) version of the Verado 350 SCi requires 91 octane (R+M)/2, or premium fuel, which is a critical factor in ensuring the absolute highest combination of performance and fuel efficiency available while meeting EPA emissions requirements. The version sold in European Union countries requires 95 RON (89 octane (R+M)/2 equivalent) and meets the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) requirements, but has different performance and fuel efficiency characteristics.

It’s important to note that emission regulations differ significantly between the EPA-regulated United States and the European Union countries, which are governed by the RCD. In addition, it is Mercury Marine’s goal to offer only the best products for our customers independent of where they operate their boats. To accomplish this, it is sometimes necessary to offer separate models with calibrations designed for specific markets. This is the case with the Verado 350 SCi, which is available in two configurations: an EPA calibration for the United States (and non-EU countries) and an EU calibration for countries belonging to the European Union.

Regardless of version, all Verado 350 SCi engines MUST run the specified fuel grade (91 octane (R+M)/2 on US versions and 95 RON on EU versions). Because the Verado 350 SCi does not include a knock protection system, running these engines on fuel grades that differ from what is specified above could result in significant engine issues. In addition, product issues that result from running non-specified fuel grades are not covered by the Verado 350 SCi’s limited warranty.

To learn more about this exciting new offering from Mercury Racing, please visit http://mercuryracing.com/verado350.