Maruti WagonR Flex Fuel: Price, Features & E85 Details
- AutoInsides Team
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Flex Fuel
Highlights
✔ India's first mass-market flex-fuel hatchback
✔ Can run on petrol and ethanol blends up to E85
✔ Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine
✔ Price starts at ₹7.24 lakh (ex-showroom)
✔ Supports India's green fuel mission
What is a Flex Fuel Car?
A flex-fuel car can run on different fuel mixtures.
The WagonR Flex Fuel can use:
Normal petrol
E20 fuel (20% ethanol)
E85 fuel (85% ethanol)
The car automatically detects the fuel and adjusts the engine settings.
You don't have to press any button.
Just fill the tank and drive.
Why is Ethanol Important?
India imports a large amount of crude oil every year.
Using ethanol can help:
✔ Reduce fuel imports.
✔ Lower emissions.
✔ Support Indian farmers.
✔ Reduce dependence on petrol.
This is why the government is promoting flex-fuel vehicles.
What Has Changed in the WagonR Flex Fuel?
The design is almost the same as the normal WagonR.
But several parts inside the engine have been changed.
Major Upgrades
New fuel injectors
Ethanol sensor
Special fuel lines
Updated engine software
Modified fuel pump
These changes help the car handle high ethanol blends safely.
Engine and Performance
Specification | Details |
Engine | 1.2L Petrol |
Power | 90 bhp |
Torque | 113.7 Nm |
Gearbox | 5-Speed Manual |
Fuel Type | E20 to E85 |
Performance is almost the same as the regular WagonR.
Fuel efficiency may drop slightly when using E85 because ethanol contains less energy than petrol.
Price and Availability
Price: ₹7.24 lakh (ex-showroom)
At present, the car is mainly aimed at commercial buyers.
Private buyers may have to wait until ethanol infrastructure improves.
The Biggest Problem Right Now
The technology is ready.
But fuel stations are not.
E85 fuel is available only in a few parts of India.
Until more ethanol pumps open, flex-fuel cars may remain a niche product.
Is It Better Than an EV?
Not necessarily.
Both technologies solve different problems.
Flex Fuel Benefits
✔ No charging worries
✔ Easy transition from petrol cars
✔ Lower crude oil imports
EV Benefits
✔ Zero tailpipe emissions
✔ Lower running cost
✔ More refined driving experience
India will likely use both technologies together in the future.
AutoInsides Expert Opinion
The WagonR Flex Fuel is not just another WagonR.
It is an important step for India's future fuel strategy.
The technology already works well in countries like Brazil.
The real challenge is building enough ethanol fuel stations across India.
If that happens, flex-fuel cars could become a popular alternative to traditional petrol cars.
Would you buy a flex-fuel car if E85 fuel becomes available in your city? Let us know in the comments.
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