Ilmor: A Legacy in Precision
Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 12:00 pm
A version of this article appeared in the Launch (May/June) 2022 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
Two decades have passed since Ilmor first made waves in the marine industry, and those waves have only gotten bigger. Just to list a few: The first company to marinize the Viper V10 engine; over 10 years of exclusively putting the power behind MasterCraft; and recently surpassing the 33,000 engines mark. This is just the tip of their success.
To truly be successful, one must be willing to innovate, to push boundaries, and to take risks. These three things are instilled within Ilmor’s mission and have been since their foundation, which isn’t too much of a surprise knowing they are backed by Roger Penske.
Before joining the marine space, Ilmor had already built up quite a reputation in the automotive racing world, putting the power behind many winning teams in Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR. And racing at those speeds? You’re not going to win by playing it safe.
When taking those kinds of calculated risks and pushing to find the ultimate capabilities and limits of engineering, precision is of utmost importance. At this level, the quality and condition of being exact and accurate becomes an art, at which Ilmor has become one of the most versatile engineering artists in the world.
The versatility comes from their desire to innovate. After a decade and a half of making a name at the most elite tier of the racing world, Ilmor was presented with an opportunity to take a shot at the marine space in 2002. They brought and have continued to bring that same precision engineering to the water, creating a diverse array of unique engines that truly bring a whole new meaning to “recreational.”
When it comes to marine engines, no one does it better than Ilmor. Combining outstanding performance with Indy-winning engineering creates the ideal recreational boating experience that is truly something of which an owner can be proud. Who wouldn’t want an engine built with the same engineering as world-renowned race engines?
But it's not just the racing history that has set Ilmor apart from the pack. They’ve been winning awards and breaking records in the industry. The most recent product reveal—the new Supercharged 6.2L, which is set to be available this summer—is the world’s most powerful tow sports engine. Ever. With 630 horsepower and 665 lb-ft of torque, within a day of the reveal, it took home the Innovation Award in the Inboard Engine Category at the Miami International Boat Show. This engine has set the benchmark for tow sports engines moving forward.
As much as the word “recreational” is used when discussing these engines, Ilmor does still have a marine engine that is built straight from their racing roots. These are the engines that tell the others to go fish. The Ilmor MV8 570, unlike any other engine on today’s market, is heritage in high performance. These engines are designed for the boats that grab everyone’s attention on the lake. These engines give you vigorous torque and hat-losing top speed, in an efficient, ultra-lightweight package with which the competitors simply can’t compete. These are engines designed to be the talk of the town. They all are.
With the marine designs, the methodical testing, and advanced manufacturing, Ilmor’s marine engines are chosen by prestigious boating manufacturers such as MasterCraft, Formula, Aviara, and StanCraft. Those who have made the switch to Ilmor power have not only been spoiled with top-of-the-line engineering, but a company who puts the customer first. A six-year running Customer Service Index Award recipient, Ilmore understands their customers’ needs and has the necessary team to be there when needed.
It truly is an exciting time to be in the boating industry. Ilmor is setting a trend as a young face with a fresh perspective in a historic market. Ilmore is never afraid to push the boundaries and to test the limits of marine engineering—the true mindset of an innovator. Those who use Ilmor don’t just explore the water, they own it.
tags: Boat Technology, Engines
