KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Wagon R Flex Fuel is showcased at the Auto Expo
- It can reduce tailpipe emissions by 79%
- It works on a blend of petrol and ethanol
Maruti Suzuki showcased India's first mass-segment flex-fuel car, Wagon R Flex-Fuel, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. This flex-fuel combination will help to reduce tailpipe emissions and eventually promote sustainability. What does this Flex fuel version have in store for you? Let's find out the details in this article. But before that, join the 91Wheels WhatsApp community to never miss out on any automotive updates.
What it is ?
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R flex fuel is the first flex-fuel car in the mass segment. It is designed to run on petrol and ethanol combination, which is claimed to reduce the tailpipe emissions. The prototype was showcased at the Auto Expo and looks quite similar to the existing model except for the "Flex-fuel" branding on the side.
What's on the inside?
Inside, the dashboard layout more or less remains the same and comes with the same black and beige theme with fabric upholstery. While the existing Wagon R gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, this will follow the same. Additionally, this version gets electrically adjustable ORVMs, hill hold assist, idle start-stop, steering-mounted controls, and all four power windows. When it comes to safety, this hatchback features dual airbags, rear parking sensors, seat belt reminders, and ABS with EBD.
Powertrain
This Wagon R Flex-Fuel is still in the prototype stage; exact details are not available at the moment. However, MSIL claimed it to be powered by a 1.2 Litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which gives out 85 bhp and 113 Nm of peak torque. This power unit is clubbed along with a 5-speed manual or AGS unit. Moreover, coming to the most crucial part, this Flex-Fuel version can reduce tailpipe emissions by 79 percent along with being not too harsh on your pockets. It can run on a petrol-ethanol blend between 20 percent (E20) and 85 percent (E85).
Pricing & Rivals
MSIL has not released any information about its launch. Hence, there are no words about the pricing too. We can expect this hatchback to sit somewhere between Rs 5 to Rs 7 lakh. (ex-showroom). The Maruti Wagon R is a B1 segment hatchback that rivals the Tata Tiago and Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS, but these do not offer Flex-Fuel models as of now.
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Verdict
Maruti Suzuki has taken a bold step towards sustainable mobility. The ability to run on a petrol-ethanol blend promises not only to cut emissions by up to 79% but also to lighten the burden on your wallet, a good proposition for eco-conscious and budget-savvy consumers alike.
