Maruti Suzuki Unveils India's First E85-Compatible WagonR: Supports Up To 85% Ethanol Fuel

Maruti Suzuki has taken a major step towards alternative fuels by unveiling India's first E85-compatible Wagon R hatchback, capable of running on fuel blends containing up to 85 percent ethanol.

Maruti Suzuki Unveils E85-Compatible Wagon R

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, unveiled India's first E85-compatible flex-fuel passenger car. The development marks an important milestone in the country's efforts to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and promote alternative fuels.

India already uses ethanol-blended petrol to reduce fuel imports, and E85 fuel takes this strategy a step further by significantly increasing the ethanol content. The move aligns with the government's long-term plan to strengthen energy security through locally sourced fuels. Ethanol is increasingly being viewed as a sustainable alternative fuel, and higher blending levels are expected in the coming years.

Supports E20 To E85 Fuel Blends

The WagonR Flex Fuel is powered by the familiar 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox. However, several powertrain components have been modified to handle higher ethanol concentrations, as ethanol is more corrosive than conventional petrol.

Maruti Suzuki has not yet revealed the exact power and torque figures of the flex-fuel version. The engine is capable of running on fuel blends ranging from E20 to E85, including a combination of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol.

To achieve this compatibility, Maruti Suzuki has equipped the vehicle with a revised engine management system, a new fuel pump, and upgraded fuel injectors. For reference, the standard WagonR 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 88.5 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

Features And Safety

The WagonR Flex Fuel comes equipped with several modern features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4-speaker audio system, dual-tone beige and black interiors, steering tilt adjustment, power windows, and electrically adjustable ORVMs.

On the safety front, it offers six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ABS with EBD, Hill Hold Assist, rear parking sensors, and speed-sensitive automatic door locking. As India expands its ethanol infrastructure and flex-fuel ecosystem, vehicles like the Wagon R Flex Fuel could play an important role in the country's transition towards cleaner and more locally sourced energy solutions.

Since this is an E85-compatible vehicle, interested buyers are advised to check the availability of E85 fuel stations in their region, as India is still in the early stages of expanding higher ethanol-blended fuel infrastructure.