Maruti Wagon R Flex Fuel Launched At Rs 7.24 lakh | India's First E85 Car

Quick Highlights

• Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Bioflex launched at Rs 7.24 lakh ex-showroom.

• The new variant runs on up to E85 ethanol blends and is Rs 86,000 more expensive than the equivalent E20 variant.

• The ZXI Plus manual is the only variant that gets this trim.

• Output is 91 PS and 114 Nm from the 1.2-litre engine, which accepts blended petrol with up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).

E85 fuel is becoming a reality in India. Soon after the first E85 dispensing pump was inaugurated in Delhi, now the first E85 compatible car has also been launched in the country. And that honor has gone to the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Bioflex. Launched in just one 1.2-litre ZXI Plus variant, it is priced at Rs 7.24 lakh (ex-showroom). This makes it more expensive than even the CNG option which is only available in a lower trim and with a 1-litre engine.

Flex-Fuel Engine

The E85 compatible 1.2-litre engine makes 91 PS and 114 Nm. These outputs are exactly the same as the petrol variants however, Maruti has not disclosed the fuel efficiency figures. Do note that E85 will give a lower fuel efficiency than E20. Homologated for blends up to 85 percent ethanol, the E85 car can still run on E20 fuel as well. But, the reverse compatibility for an E20 WagonR to run on E85 is not there. 

Feature Set

The Maruti Wagon R Flex Fuel is only available on the top-spec ZXI Plus variant. Visually, almost nothing has changed. There are new 'Flex Fuel' stickers on the sides and tailgate to tell the world this vehicle runs on Ethanol. Other elements like the 14-inch alloy wheels, 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, four-speaker audio system and steering-mounted audio controls carry over. Safety features include six airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist, and rear parking sensors.

Should You Buy It?

The Wagon R Flex Fuel targets buyers who want an efficient entry-level hatchback with affordable running costs and green credentials. But remember, while the running cost might be lower on E85 fuel, its availability remains a serious question for now. The Rs 86,000 premium over the standard petrol model is also a lot and you can get a CNG variant for a lot cheaper.

But if you want to be an early adopter for E85 fuel, the Wagon R Flex Fuel remains the only option as none of its competitors today offer this fuel choice.