en.Wedoany.com Reported - Maruti Suzuki has launched the Wagon R Flex Fuel in the Indian market, making it the first mass-market E85-compatible vehicle in India. This car can run on gasoline blended with up to 85% ethanol. Its 1.2-liter engine has been re-engineered to withstand the corrosive nature of high-ethanol fuel blends and has been tuned for performance, delivering increased power and torque compared to the standard E20-compatible engine, though specific figures have not been disclosed.
The Wagon R Flex Fuel retains the same exterior design as the standard model, featuring the "tall boy" stance, 14-inch alloy wheels, black C-pillar floating roof effect, and large vertical taillights, with differentiation only through unique badging and side decals. The vehicle is exclusively paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. ARAI-rated fuel efficiency is XX.XX km/l, and since E85 is typically priced lower than standard gasoline, actual running costs will be determined by this price difference.
In terms of features, the Flex Fuel variant fully retains the ZXI trim's equipment list, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, manual air conditioning, and a day/night anti-glare interior rearview mirror. The interior features a beige and black dual-tone dashboard, with standard equipment including 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, and speed-sensing auto door locks.
The availability of E85 fuel is key to the practical use of this vehicle. The refueling network for high-ethanol blended fuel in India is still in its early stages, with stations concentrated in only a few areas. This move is part of a broader alternative fuel promotion plan, such as Hero's launch of E85-compatible commuter motorcycles. The Wagon R Flex Fuel is primarily aimed at early adopters and buyers in regions where E85 is promoted, with selling points being lower fuel costs (thanks to cheaper ethanol-blended gasoline) and performance advantages from higher power and torque.
Competitors in this segment include the Maruti Celerio, Maruti Swift, Tata Tiago, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, but none of these models support E85 flex fuel, giving the Wagon R a unique position in the affordable hatchback segment.
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