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WATERSKI Magazine
Guts and Glory
Multi-discilpine blend of luxury and performance.
Click on the link below to view the boat video shot during the WaterSki Magazine 2001 Boat Test.
Keep in mind that these are Mpeg videos and if you are running a slow connection speed, the video might skip on the initial play. Just hit the play button after your initial viewing and the video should play without interruption the second time around – Enjoy!
Toyota Epic S22 VideoWSM: Who is going to be buying this boat?
Toyota: This is a performance/recreational boat. The person buying this boat really varies. This tends to appeal to the family with kids who are into wakeboarding and waterskiing as well as the parents who want something that is safe, comfortable and performs well. Because of our unique Omega hull design, the boat has an excellent ride in rough water. Basically, you have the 32-degree dead rise at the bow running back to 11 degrees at the transom. That gives you a good ride in rough water but still allows the performance you need for skiing and wakeboarding. We were looking for a better riding boat to pull some stern-drive buyers over.
How do the SX22 and S22 differ?
Basically, we?ve eliminated the ballast system and the tower from the SX22. This gives us a boat that is for the family while still being performance-oriented.
How was the engine developed?
This is the same engine that we use in the Lexus LS 400 and GS 400. We started developing it for marine applications at the same time we were developing it for the autos, so it had been under development for quite a while before it coming to market. What?s distinct about the engine is we generate more horsepower per liter than anyone else in the industry. We owe that to the technology in the engine. It has variable valve timing, which means the timing is not set. It changes with the rpm. The horsepower it delivers depends on your skier, altitude, atmosphere and all that. This lets us make an engine that gives steering power and reduced emissions.
Another great feature is the multi-port fuel injection. A lot of people use the multi-port fuel injection, but we use a sequential system, which means it?s firing into one cylinder at a time so you have a more precise burning. You get more combustion per cylinder, which allows a cleaner burn of the fuel. With more combustion you get more power.
How much attention did you put into luxury and really buffing this thing out?
We make sure we are using the best materials we can purchase for the application. From a luxury standpoint, we use the highest-quality marine vinyl and we build the back rests at a 15 degree angle giving a more comfortable ride. We use high-density foam so when you are going down a rough lake you are not bottoming out on the seat bases. The seats contour to the body, so you can sit for long periods of time. All these things make the boat more luxurious.
Super Specs
Length: 21 ft. 7 in.
Beam: 93 in.
Fuel capacity: 43 gal.
Seating capacity: 10
Test prop: 13 x 13 OJ LH 3B
Test engine: Toyota VT300i 4.0L V8
Base price: $35,000 to $40,000
On the Water
Performance
Top speed 41 mph 5,300 rpm
Accel. to 22 5.69 sec.
Accel. to 36 9.50 sec.
Accel. 30 to 36 3.65 sec.
Noise levels (db)
Idle 55 D, 56 R
22 mph 81 D, 85 R
36 mph 94 D, 102 R
Slalom
The Epic S-22V has one of the better V-drive slalom wakes tested. Skiers from a recreational level up through a mid-level ability will be dialed-in with this boat?s ability to cater toward slalom and wakeboard tows. We found the pull a little slow out of the hole for deepwater starts. The tracking and handling were impressive, and you can definitely tell that you?re riding in Toyota quality.
Wakeboard
Sharing the same wake capabilities as the SX, you can make this a great boat for riding. You have to weigh it down substantially, but the potential for a world-class wake is there. Interestingly, the boat is not offered with a ballast option, so if you are really serous about riding get the SX.
Chill Factor
Clean and quiet, this boat is awesome for chilling out on the lake. The cockpit is comfortable and intimate, with a little less length than we?ve seen in most V-drives. Whether you?re cruising around the lake with friends or doing all-day ski and wakeboard sessions, you?ll know that you?re in a boat that was built to last.
Summary
This is a beautiful boat and is on the same level as a finely honed luxury car. It has a wonderful wraparound seating arrangement and clean, classy two-tone vinyl. One feature we loved was the extra storage offered by the unique lockable trunk behind the engine. The dash is truly something to see, but the real star of the S22 is what you don?t see ? its engine. The Toyota VT300i 4.0-liter V8 engine with 300 horsepower and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVTI) delivers the quietest, smoothest ride on the water. This engine is a marine version of the Lexus 400 engine featured in the Lexus LS 400, GS 400 and SC 400. It?s definitely a ride worth experiencing.
Contact Information
Toyota Marine
7658 Municipal Dr.
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 800-975-EPIC
Fax: 407-370-7030
Web:www.marine.toyota.com
Categories:
Ski Boats
