Maruti Suzuki has launched the Wagon R Flex Fuel in India at a starting price of ₹7.24 lakh (ex-showroom).
With this launch, it has become the most affordable flex-fuel car currently available in the country.
The new model is based on the top-spec Wagon R ZXi+ 1.2 MT variant and is priced around ₹86,000 higher than the regular version.
However, there is one important catch.
At present, Maruti is offering the Wagon R Flex Fuel only to commercial buyers and not to private customers.
How Much More Expensive Is It?
The Wagon R Flex Fuel costs significantly more than the commercial Wagon R Tour H3 currently sold by Maruti.
The Wagon R Tour H3 starts at ₹4.99 lakh for the petrol version and ₹5.89 lakh for the CNG variant.
In comparison, the Flex Fuel model is priced ₹1.35 lakh to ₹2.25 lakh higher.
One reason for this price difference is the engine.
While the Tour H3 uses a 1.0-litre engine, the Flex Fuel version comes with a more powerful 1.2-litre engine.
What Is Special About the Flex Fuel Engine?
The Wagon R Flex Fuel is powered by a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated K12N petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The biggest highlight is that this engine can run on fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
To make this possible, Maruti has made several modifications, including:
Upgraded fuel injectors
Higher-capacity fuel pump
New fuel lines
Recalibrated engine control unit (ECU)
Ethanol sensor
These changes allow the car to adjust automatically to different ethanol-petrol fuel blends.
Will It Save Money on Fuel?
This is the question many buyers will ask.
Maruti has not yet revealed the official mileage figures of the Wagon R Flex Fuel.
For reference, the standard Wagon R ZXi+ with the same engine delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 23.56 kmpl.
However, ethanol-blended fuel generally reduces mileage.
A recent test comparing E20 and E85 fuel showed that E85 delivered around 24% lower fuel efficiency.
While the exact figures for the Wagon R may differ, a noticeable drop in mileage is expected.
The challenge is that E85 fuel is currently only around 19.5% cheaper than E20 fuel.
If mileage falls by a greater percentage than the fuel price savings, running costs may actually increase instead of decrease.
As a result, the Flex Fuel model may not immediately offer major savings at the fuel pump.
No Major Changes in Design
Visually, the Wagon R Flex Fuel looks almost identical to the standard Wagon R.
The only noticeable differences are Flex Fuel decals on the body and a Bioflex badge on the rear.
Inside, the cabin remains unchanged with the familiar dual-tone black-and-beige theme, fabric seats, and three-spoke steering wheel.
Features Remain the Same
Maruti has carried over all the key features from the regular Wagon R ZXi+ variant.
Some of the notable features include:
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Six airbags
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Manual air conditioning with rear AC vents
Four-speaker audio system
Front fog lamps
Rear parking sensors
Should You Be Excited?
The Wagon R Flex Fuel is an important step towards alternative fuel technology in India.
It offers the flexibility to run on higher ethanol blends and supports the government’s push for cleaner fuels.
However, with limited availability, higher pricing, and unanswered questions about real-world fuel savings, buyers may have to wait and see whether flex-fuel technology becomes a practical option for everyday use.
