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Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Wagon-R Flex-Fuel is a new engine that the company will offer in the coming months
The Maruti Wagon-R is a beloved hatchback in India. The automaker will introduce a new engine option that focuses on environmental friendliness. This new variant is known as the flex-fuel Wagon R, it will come with a technology that blends ethanol with petrol for reduced carbon emissions.
Understanding Flex Fuel:
Flex-fuel involves the blending of ethanol, an E100-graded fuel derived from sources like sugarcane and vegetables, with petrol. In the case of Indian cars, they are currently compatible with E20 flex fuel, signifying a 20% ethanol blend with petrol. The Maruti Wagon-R flex-fuel technology aims to increase the ethanol content to 85%, requiring certain engine modifications. This shift to greener fuel sources will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon footprint compared to regular gasoline engines. Additionally, ethanol-based petrol will likely be more cost-effective for consumers.
Maruti Wagon R Flex-Fuel:
Maruti showcased a prototype of the flex-fuel Wagon R at Auto Expo 2023 making it the first Indian brand to display an ethanol-based car. The prototype demonstrated the engine’s capability to handle ethanol blends ranging from 20% to 85%. The flex-fuel Wagon R will be compatible with the 1.2-litre petrol engine variant, offering 89bhp and 113Nm torque with manual and AMT transmission options.
Design, Interior & Features:
In terms of design, the flex-fuel Wagon R closely resembles the current model, with some prototype graphics indicating the new engine. The production model will feature green highlights on the body. Interior-wise, the prototype maintained similarity with the regular model, featuring grey and beige seat upholstery and dashboard treatment. The feature list will align with the current model, including a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto and Apple Carplay, 4 speakers, alloy wheels power-folding ORVMs, steering-mounted controls, front fog lamps, and rear washer wiper.
Launch and Pricing:
The flex-fuel Wagon R will likely launch in 2025 and will allow Maruti sufficient time for extensive testing before a mass-market release. Regarding pricing, a slight premium over the current model will launch soon. The existing Wagon R costs between Rs 6.48 lakh to Rs 8.69 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
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