Are you looking for a car that can run on both petrol and ethanol? Do you want to save money on fuel and reduce your carbon footprint? If yes, then you might be interested in the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel, India’s first mass-segment flex-fuel car.
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What is a flex-fuel car?
A flex-fuel car is a vehicle that can run on any blend of ethanol and petrol, ranging from 20% ethanol (E20) to 85% ethanol (E85). Ethanol is a renewable fuel that is derive from sugarcane, corn, or other biomass sources. It has lower carbon emissions than petrol and is cheaper to produce.
What are the benefits of a flex-fuel car?
A flex-fuel car has several advantages over a conventional petrol car, such as:
- It can reduce the dependence on imported oil and increase energy security.
- It can lower the fuel cost for the consumer, as ethanol is cheaper than petrol in most markets.
- It can reduce the tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants, as ethanol burns cleaner than petrol.
- It can support the rural economy and create employment opportunities, as ethanol production requires agricultural inputs and labour.
What are the challenges of a flex-fuel car?
A flex-fuel car also faces some challenges in the Indian market, such as:
- It requires a compatible engine and fuel system that can handle different ethanol blends and prevent corrosion, leakage, or performance issues.
- It requires a reliable supply of ethanol and a well-developed distribution network that can ensure availability and quality of the fuel.
- It requires consumer awareness and acceptance of the new technology and its benefits.
How does the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex-Fuel work?
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel is based on the regular Wagon R hatchback that is popular in India. It has a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. The engine is will come with to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The engine has been change to run on any ethanol-petrol blend between E20 and E85. It has a heated fuel rail that helps with cold starts and an ethanol sensor that detects the ethanol percentage in the fuel. The engine management system then adjusts the fuel injection and ignition timing accordingly.
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The Wagon R Flex Fuel looks similar to the standard Wagon’s, except for some fluorescent badges and accents that highlight its green credentials. The interior also remains unchanged, with features like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, etc.
When will the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel be launched?
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon’s R Flex Fuel is expected to be launched in India by 2025. It will be compliant with the upcoming BS6 phase-II emission norms that will mandate lower carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide levels. The price of the Wagon’s Flex Fuel is not yet reveal, but it is likely to be slightly higher than the regular Wagon R.
The Wagon’s R Flex Fuel is one of the initiatives by Maruti Suzuki to promote alternative fuels in India. The company also offers CNG variants of some of its models and plans to introduce electric vehicles in the future. The Wagon Fuel will be a pioneer in the Indian market and will pave the way for more flex-fuel cars in the country.
Wagon R Flex Fuel Mileage
The mileage of the Wagon R Flex Fuel depends on the type of fuel and the transmission. According to the official website of Maruti Suzuki, the Wagon R Flex Fuel delivers the following mileage figures:
- Petrol Manual: 24.35 km/l* for 1.0L engine and 23.56 km/l* for 1.2L engine
- Petrol Automatic (AGS): 25.19 km/l* for 1.0L engine and 24.43 km/l* for 1.2L engine
- CNG Manual: 34.05 km/kg* for 1.0L engine
*These mileage figures are certified by the Test Agency under Rule 115 (G) of CMVR 1989. The actual mileage may vary depending on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.
The Wagon R Flex Fuel is expected to have an impressive fuel efficiency, especially when running on ethanol blends. Ethanol is cheaper than petrol and has lower carbon emissions. However, the availability and quality of ethanol may vary across regions and seasons.