Maruti Suzuki Unveils India’s First Flex-Fuel Car

Maruti Suzuki on Thursday unveiled what it described as India’s first flex-fuel car, just ahead of World Environment Day which is tomorrow. The event was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri. The launch comes at a time when the Centre is focused on alternative fuel adoption and ethanol-based mobility.

India's biggest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki confirmed that the model showcased, is based on the WagonR, though it has not disclosed detailed specifications of the flex-fuel variant. Details, including engine configuration and fuel compatibility, are expected to be announced closer to the model's market launch.

“At Maruti Suzuki, we are committed to offer cars with multiple technologies and fuels. The Company is introducing BEVs, Hybrids, CNG/CBG and ethanol flex-fuel vehicles to meet India’s twin goals of reducing oil import and carbon emissions. The ecosystem for ethanol as a fuel in India is in its early stages, and as a market leader, we think it is our responsibility to contribute to make `India Go Flex’. Once it reaches mainstream adoption, Flex-Fuel Vehicles have the potential to cut oil imports, carbon emissions, and local air pollution while enhancing domestic value addition and farmer incomes," Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said in a statement.

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The introduction of the flex-fuel vehicle is a step in the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its fuel mix and reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels. Ethanol, in particular, has emerged as a key component of this strategy, supported by policy measures aimed at increasing blending levels and expanding its use in the automotive sector.

Flex-fuel vehicles, capable of running on varying ethanol-petrol blends, are being seen as an interim solution in India’s transition towards lower-emission mobility.

Further updates on the Maruti Suzuki WagonR flex-fuel model, including its specifications and launch timeline, are expected to be made available in the coming weeks.

The Wagon R flex-fuel prototype was initially showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in Delhi, followed by the display of a flex-fuel Fronx at the Japan Mobility Show.

Flex-fuel powertrains require specific engineering changes compared to conventional petrol engines. These include modifications to fuel system components, recalibrated injection mapping, and revised cold-start systems, as ethanol is more corrosive and less volatile in lower temperatures. While the technology enables the use of higher ethanol blends, it comes with a known compromise: ethanol delivers lower energy output per litre than petrol, which typically results in reduced fuel efficiency. As a result, the cost advantage for consumers will depend largely on the relative pricing of ethanol at fuel stations.

There is also an associated increase in vehicle cost. As per estimates, integrating flex-fuel hardware adds around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per unit, although this premium is expected to decline as the technology scales across multiple models. The Wagon R flex-fuel variant is likely to be priced at approximately ₹8 lakh (ex-showroom).