| TIME TO FACE THE FACTS Now, more than ever, competition within the boating industry is getting fierce. And, at Mercury, we invite a little free competition. That’s because competition makes us work even harder so that we can provide you with the very best in marine power. However, sometimes competitors make claims that are not entirely accurate—or just dead wrong. So, we’d like to set the record straight about a few claims that our competition is making about MerCruiser®. This way, you’ll have all of the information you need to make a confident and intelligent choice. And you’ll learn firsthand why MerCruiser has the most advanced engine technology available anywhere. So take a moment and see for yourself why MerCruiser is still Number One on the Water. How MerCruiser ACTUALLY stacks up against Volvo “claims.”
  Volvo introduced its “new technology” cone clutch drive in 1963 and its DuoProp in 1982. Apparently, Volvo feels that twenty- and forty-year-old products are “new technology.” The MerCruiser Alpha, the world’s most popular sterndrive, is only 1 of 19 MerCruiser drives, compared to 4 from Volvo.In addition, of the 19 MerCruiser drives, 12 were introduced within the last five years. So if you’re talking about “new technology,” it’s clear that you’re talking about MerCruiser. And the MerCruiser Alpha drive incorporates low-maintenance and maintenance-free features (such as our drive lube monitor; internal long-life floppy vane water pump impeller; and service-free, Permalube® U-joints)–features that the SX drive can’t claim. And the MerCruiser advantages don’t stop there. Our easily accessible drive lube monitor makes it simple to check essential gear lube levels–as opposed to the drive-mounted dipstick on most Volvo drives. Also, our Power Trim XD with memory cylinders allows you to maintain control even after an impact with an underwater obstacle, whereas the Volvo system requires you to trim the drive back down to regain control of the boat and resume operation. Compared to the Volvo “Drive Saver Coupler,” our owner-serviceable Flo-Torq® II prop hub might as well be called the “weekend saver”–because of its overall ease of servicing.  top
Again…not an accurate representation. While the Alpha DOES use a dog clutch system–specifically because of its proven reputation as a workhorse–all MerCruiser® Bravo® drives feature a cone clutch system for higher-torque and higher-horsepower applications that require extra strength.Interestingly, what Volvo DOESN’T tell you about the MerCruiser Alpha drive is that it’s actually lighter and has a smaller, more hydrodynamically efficient profile than any Volvo drive. top
That’s just flat-out wrong. All MerCruiser gears are shot-peened for maximum strength and longer life. And MerCruiser manufactures all of its gears right here in the U.S.–incorporating the latest manufacturing technologies and materials to help ensure you get the most durable and quiet gear sets in the industry. By the way, ALL gears, not just Volvo, are pattern-matched. They have to be, or they just don’t mesh!MerCruiser actually uses helical (spiral bevel) gears where quiet, smooth operation is important and high-strength straight bevel gear designs where handling 575 horsepower is routine–as with the Bravo One XR™ drive. top
Several of the features Volvo claims are “unique” to it are actually shared by both Volvo and MerCruiser: from the twin counter-rotating propellers…to the cone clutch . . . to the shot-peened gears.And that’s not counting several MerCruiser advantages–such as all MerCruiser Bravo Three drives featuring standard active electronic corrosion control (MerCathode®) and larger propshafts and bearings than the Volvo DuoProp. And we offer a higher-strength Bravo Three X® that’s designed specifically for diesel and higher-horsepower gasoline engines–something Volvo doesn’t even offer. AND THERE’S MORE: Volvo tries to serve up its DuoProp as the solution for virtually every application. Volvo has to because its single-prop drives aren’t rugged enough to be offered above 320 horsepower. MerCruiser offers both Bravo single- and twin-propeller options in higher-horsepower ranges–up to 500 horsepower. The Bravo Two®, in particular, provides the superb maneuverability and cruising efficiency of a 20-inch diameter propeller. In addition, Bravo Two twin-engine applications, having true individual counter-rotating propellers, provide excellent steering authority and low-speed thrust–similar to inboards–with the added benefit of trim power. Coupled with the larger propeller, the Bravo Two models provide large boats with quick time to plane–and acceleration that can’t be matched by any twin-propeller drive, ours or the Volvo drive. top
Mercury offers a 1 + 5 extended protection program that combines 5 years of Mercury Product Protection on top of the standard 1-year warranty . . . for a total of 6 years of available product protection.top
Not only are there SEVERAL differences between MerCruiser and Volvo engine lines . . . those differences are SIGNIFICANT. Exclusive features like the full closed-cooling system, dry-joint exhaust, water-cooled and insulated fuel system, easy oil drain, and innovative water drain systems set MerCruiser engines apart. And every MerCruiser MPI powerplant utilizes our exclusive SmartCraft® technology–with our 555 control modules. These high-speed microprocessors are at the heart of the SmartCraft Controller Area Network. And they’re part of an advanced propulsion system that Volvo just can’t match.top
 No one offers better corrosion-resistance than MerCruiser. Because no one else takes the steps we do: from our exclusive XK-360 low-copper aluminum alloy to our multistep painting process, MerCathode, EDP and ceramic coating, freshwater flushing systems, multiple sacrificial anodes, and more. And we back it all up with the industry’s only 3-year limited corrosion failure warranty.top
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