Maruti Suzuki Launch India’s 1st Mass Segment Flex Fuel Car

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Maruti Suzuki) on December 12 informed the exchanges that it has unveiled the Wagon R Flex Fuel prototype model in Delhi. The first-of-its-kind mass segment flex fuel prototype car was launched in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

In line with the government’s clean and green initiatives, the Wagon R flex fuel prototype has been designed to run on any ethanol-petrol blend between 20 percent (E20) and 85 percent (E85) fuel. The car has been designed and developed locally by the engineers of Maruti Suzuki, with necessary support from Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan.

The Wagon R flex fuel prototype vehicle features an advanced engine specially designed to use high ethanol-blended petrol. To make the engine compatible with higher ethanol blends (E20-E85), new fuel system technologies such as a heated fuel rail for cold start assist and an ethanol sensor to detect ethanol percentages have been built in. In addition, components such as an engine management system, upgraded fuel pump, and fuel injectors have been developed along with upgrades to other mechanical components to ensure the durability of the engine as well as the vehicle.

To align with the latest regulations, Maruti Suzuki has developed the Engine Management System Strategy and Emission Control System to comply with the stringent BS6 Stage-II emission norms.

The carmaker said, “Being a first-time development for such technology for Indian conditions and targeted to fully meet the stringent emission norms, Maruti Suzuki has undertaken an extensive evaluation of this technology in the Indian market with the Indian Ethanol- Planned to do with mixed fuel.” in a press release.

Speaking at the prototype launch, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. said: “Maruti Suzuki has consistently aligned itself with the national objectives of reducing the country’s oil import burden and improving the environment. SMC, Locally designed and developed in India with support from Japan, the Wagon R flex fuel prototype vehicle furthers the ‘Make in India’ efforts of the Government of India.

Takeuchi said: “Specifically, our research shows that the ethanol fuel-based Wagon R flex fuel prototype vehicle running on E85 fuel can reduce tailpipe GHG emissions by 79 percent compared to conventional gasoline Wagon R models while ensuring similar power performance.” Its benefits are also highlighted in NITI Aayog’s ‘Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25’, which elaborates on the plan for the production and use of ethanol for automotive applications.

“Moreover, India is the largest producer and consumer of sugar and its second largest exporter in the world. Ethanol made from processing crop waste is ideal for the agricultural economy. It also gives impetus to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

“It is our constant endeavor to democratize new technology to make it accessible to the masses. The display of this flex fuel prototype vehicle is a step in that direction. We will introduce our first flex fuel vehicle for the compact segment by 2025. This is in line with our People Technology philosophy, which aims to take technology to the masses to create a positive and tangible impact on society.

It is worth mentioning that with the aim of promoting clean-fuel vehicles, Maruti Suzuki has started working on a variety of technologies including electric, hybrid electric, CNG, bio-gas, ethanol, flex-fuel, etc. To confirm its entire product range to E20 fuel content by March 2023.