100 years ago the history of Suzuki engines began

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Suzuki, 100 years of history and undisputed fame from cars to motorcycles to outboard motors, protagonists of the sea adventures of so many of us boaters.

Suzuki in 100 years: from textiles to outboard motors

On March 15, 1920, the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co. was founded in Hamamatsu, Japan, consisting of. Michio Suzuki. Everything had started from an innovative loom, designed by Michio to help his mother, a cloth weaver. This loom was capable of processing textiles quickly and very accurately and, especially after World War I, was wildly successful.

Michio Suzuki meanwhile specialized and acquired great skills in the field of engines. In 1954 the Suzuki Motor Corporation Ltd. was born, which in 1955 also launched the first Suzuki-branded car, the Suzulight, powered by a 360cc two-stroke engine. In 1960 the debut in motorcycles and in 1962 the first world title.

The Hamamatsu company remained a major player in two-wheelers as well, debuting in racing in 1960 and winning the first of its 15 world titles as early as 1962. Then, in 1965, Suzuki ‘s entry into the world of outboard engines, with the launch of the D55 model.

SUZUKI OUTBOARDS TODAY

In addition to the DF350A, Suzuki’s most powerful engine, two new additions came in 2019: the DF300B, which draws on the technologies of its big brother, and the DF40A ARI, the “license-free” that can work well with larger boats.

Suzuki DF350A outboard engines to debut
Suzuki DF350A outboard engines to debut

 


THE WHOLE HISTORY OF SUZUKI OUTBOARDS

  • 1965
    The first Suzuki D55 outboard engine was developed in 1965.

 

  • 1966
    Suzuki begins export of outboard engines.

 

  • 1979
    The Toyokawa factory was completed and began outboard engine production in May.

 

  • 1980
    Suzuki invented the first oil injection for outboard engines, and this introduced the DT85OI, DT115OI and DT140OI series.

 

  • 1985
    DT150 and DT200 are the first Suzuki V6 outboard engines marketed.

 

  • 1987
    The Exante DT200 won the “Most Innovative Product” award from the National Marine Manufacture Association (NMMA).

 

  • 1989
    DT90 and DT100, the first V4 outboard engines on the market arrive.

 

  • 1990
    The V6 series is completed with the DT225. Suzuki introduces the electronic fuel injection system on the DT225.

 

  • 1994
    Suzuki begins marketing the first four-stroke engines: DF9.9 and DF15.

 

  • 1997
    DF60 and DF70, the first four-stroke engines with the multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection system on the market, win the “Innovation Award” from the International Marine Trades Exposition and Convention.

 

  • 1998
    DF40 and DF50, the first four-stroke engines with 4-stroke DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder, win the “Innovation Award” from the International Marine Trades Exposition and Convention (IMTEC). Suzuki is the first manufacturer to receive this award for two consecutive years.

 

  • 2000
    DF90 and DF115 arrived on the market. These models use the offset drive shaft , making them the most compact outboards in their class.

 

  • 2003
    The DF200, DF225 and DF250 (3614 cm3) are the first four-stroke engines introduced by Suzuki. At the Miami International Boat Show, the DF250 wins the “IMTEC Innovation” award. In August, production of DF9.9/15 is moved to Suzuki’s Thailand facility.

 

  • 2006
    The DF300 is the first 4-stroke outboard with 300 V6 horsepower and the first to use electronic control system The DF 300 is the winner of the “IBEX 2006 Innovation” award from NMMA.
    * IBEX: The 16th International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference
    * NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association

 

  • 2008
    The new generation of four-stroke engines: DF70A, DF80A and DF90A.
    The DF90A is the lightest and most compact 90-hp four-stroke engine in its class. It is the first Suzuki outboard to use the Lean Burn system.

 

  • 2010
    The new generation of four-stroke engines with Lean Burn is produced: DF40A and DF50A The DF40A and DF50A receive the “2011 NMMA for Innovation” award at the Miami Boat Show.

 

  • 2011
    The new generation of DF300AP is launched. The DF300AP is the first outboard motor with selective rotation.
    The DF300AP wins the “2012 NMMA for Innovation” award at the Miami International Boat Show.

 

  • 2012
    The new generation of DF15A/20A Lean Burn makes its debut. It is the world’s first battery-free engine in its class with the electronic fuel injection system. Suzuki is providing 55 DF2.5 engines to the Marine Society & Sea Cadets to participate Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant in the United Kingdom.
    Suzuki is the sole supplier of outboard engines for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

  • 2013
    Commercialization of DF150TG, DF175TG and DF60AV engines begins.

 

  • 2015
  • Suzuki celebrates 50 years in the marine industry

 

  • 2016
    The new DF150AP and DF175AP are launched.

 

  • 2017
    Suzuki launches the DF350A, its top-of-the-line outboard engine

 

  • 2018
    The new Suzuki DF150A and DF175 outboards are launched as world premieres at the Genoa Boat Show. Also arriving are the new Suzuki MFD Multifuction Displays, a new generation of Suzuki “touch screen” displays. The new steel Watergrip propellers, with a new blade design and the new interchangeable silent block bushing, which reduces slippage phenomena, already adopted in the double propeller version by Suzuki’s top-of-the-line DF350A. The new Suzukino, the second generation of tenders by Suzuki that come with product features that make them small RIBs, all with fiberglass hulls, Hypalon Neoprene tubulars.

 

  • 2019
    The DF300B, a new high-performance outboard derived from the Suzuki DF350A, and the DF40A Ari arrive.

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