Maruti Suzuki showcases production-spec Wagon R flex fuel

Maruti Suzuki has finally showcased the production-spec Wagon R flex fuel, having previously showcased prototypes of the hatchback on two separate occasions. The Wagon R flex fuel is compliant with E85 fuel (blended fuel with up to 85 percent ethanol), although it has only been made available for the commercial sector. The carmaker, however, hasn’t announced any price for the Wagon R flex fuel. 

This move comes as the government intends to reduce dependence on crude oil imports, especially in the midst of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

1. No technical specifications revealed for Wagon R flex fuel
2. Uses Maruti’s K12N, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine
3. Govt targets up to 5,000 E85 fuel dispensing stations by end of 2027

Maruti Suzuki becomes the first carmaker to put a flex fuel vehicle into production, although Toyota and Tata Motors have previously showcased flex fuel vehicles. In 2022, Toyota showcased a Corolla flex fuel in India and later, in 2024, also showcased the Innova Hycross flex fuel. Tata Motors, too, has showcased a Punch flex fuel previously at the Bharat Mobility Show 2024.  

Maruti Wagon R flex fuel: What is it?

The Wagon R flex fuel first made its appearance in 2022, and then again at the Bharat Mobility Show in 2024. The production-spec Wagon R flex fuel showcased today is compliant with E100, although it has been homologated to only run on E85 fuel. Essentially, it can run on any blend of petrol and ethanol ranging from E20 to E100. 

The Wagon R flex fuel uses Maruti’s tried-and-tested K12N, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine, but gets several tweaks to be compatible with ethanol. This includes upgraded fuel injectors and fuel pumps, new fuel lines, a newly calibrated ECU and, most importantly, an ethanol sensor to detect the level of ethanol in the fuel. Maruti Suzuki, however, has not revealed any specifications such as power output or fuel efficiency for the Wagon R flex fuel. 

What about E85 availability?

The availability of E85 fuel itself, however, is still very limited. E85 will require separate dispensers and storage facilities than regular E20 fuel, which is currently the base standard. However, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri has laid out an ambition plan of rolling out up to 5,000 E85 dispensers by the end of 2027. 

“In the beginning, we’ll have about 50-100 dispensing stations in the Delhi-NCR and Mumbai-Pune-Nagpur corridor. This will expand to 500 stations by December this year, and god willing, up to approximately 5,000 stations across major Indian cities by end of next year,” said Puri. The minister has also assured that E85 will be priced significantly lower than current E20 petrol.