[volkman10]

Maruti’s First Flex-fuel car is a Prototype Wagon R running on E85 Fuel, showcased at the SIAM Ethanol technology exhibition.

- The first flex-fuel production vehicle from Maruti is set to arrive in 2025

- Maruti’s flex-fuel powertrain complies with the upcoming BS6 Phase II emission norms.

- It has been modified to run on up to 85 per cent ethanol-blended petrol.

- The current-gen Wagon R is a test bed for the new technology.

- First flex-fuel Maruti will likely be a compact model.

Maruti has unveiled its prototype flex-fuel powertrain that can run on any concentration of ethanol-blended petrol, from E20 to E85. The Wagon R is a test bed for the extensively modified engine that will power future cars from the carmaker. The tech won’t be available in production models until 2025.

Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki, Hisashi Takeuchi:

Notably, our research shows that ethanol fuel based Wagon R Flex Fuel prototype vehicle operating on E85 fuel will help reduce tailpipe GHG emissions by 79 per cent in comparison to a conventional gasoline Wagon R model while ensuring the same power performance.” For reference, the Wagon R is offered with 67PS 1-litre petrol and 89PS 1.2-litre petrol engines.

we will introduce our first Flex Fuel vehicle for the compact segment by 2025

Ahead of that timeline, the carmaker aims to make its entire lineup compatible with E20 fuel (with 80 per cent petrol, 20 per cent ethanol) by March 2023.

Higher ethanol blends are still sometime away, but the government does plan to make all cars E20 compatible by 2025. Ethanol blended fuel is a lower-cost alternative to petrol, offering fossil fuel savings and reduction in running costs similar to CNG.



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[lemedico]

Could any engineers clarify if such high ethanol concentrations are more green at the tailpipe?

[aniketi]

Wow! This can be real gamechanger for all. If such cars are good for real world, nothing like it. It will reduce pollution and reduce burden on Government for importing fuel. This has to be promoted strongly and also Government should provide some relief in taxes to promote such cars.

[MotoDrive]

My doubts
1) Will the Govt. pass on the fuel cost benefits to the customers who use the Flex Fuel?
2) What will happen current to the BS6 petrol engined cars bought in 2022 which runs on 10% blended fuel? how long we get the BS6 petrol with 10% Ethanol?
3) Looks like the reducing the emissions and saving forex will take a back seat for ensuring the profit for the oil Companies by mixing ethanol by selling the fuel at regular market price!

[NJ_9]

In every article they just mention that we are moving towards E20(Flex fuel) but nobody , not a single journalist asks "what is going to happen to existing vehicle's? Will E10 be available or are OEM's required to help retrofit required components to make E20 compatible"

We are all assuming things at this point. Such bad governance, keeping people in dark. Just pathetic!

On the technology front, this is a good initiative if they are able to make sure Ethanol is available to meet these demands. Well cars are going to become even more expensive with new regulations next year, flex fuel technology implementation, taxes, 6 air bag rule. Tough call for new car buyers with so much uncertainties.

[volkman10]

Maruti Suzuki showcases Flex Fuel WagonR at Auto Expo 2023; company likely to launch Flex Fuel vehicle in 2025.

[volkman10]

Maruti Wagon R Flex Fuel displayed at the Bharat Mobility show in New Delhi.

Still in prototype form, the Wagon R Flex Fuel is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that has been tweaked to run on E20-E85 Ethanol.



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