Maruti Suzuki has finally revealed the prices of the WagonR Flex Fuel (Bioflex), which starts from Rs 7.24 lakh (ex-showroom). The model is based on the standard WagonR’s top-spec ZXi+ 1.2-litre variant and commands a premium of Rs 86,000.
As of now, the flex fuel version is restricted to commercial usage only.
Maruti WagonR Flex Fuel vs Standard Model: Price Difference
Compared to the Maruti WagonR Tour H3, which is priced at Rs 4.99 lakh for petrol-MT and Rs 5.89 lakh for the CNG-MT, the WagonR Biofuel is up to Rs 2.25 lakh more costly. However, it is worth noting that the Tour H3 comes equipped with the smaller displacement 1-litre unit.
Maruti WagonR Flex Fuel Engine Specifications
The Maruti Suzuki WagonR Flex Fuel is offered with a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine with several tweaks to accommodate higher ethanol blends. These include upgraded fuel injectors, fuel pumps, new fuel lines, a recalibrated ECU, and an ethanol sensor. Maruti Suzuki is yet to reveal its technical specifications. For reference, the standard WagonR ZXi+ produced 91PS of max power and 114Nm of peak torque. It claims a higher mileage of 23.56 kmpl with manual and 24.43 kmpl with AMT.
E85 is being sold ~Rs 20 cheaper only via policy push, not natural cost advantage. In fact, the average procurement cost of ethanol (paid by oil companies to producers) is currently around Rs 70-72 per litre (including transport & GST), which is much higher than the base price of the petrol
Related: E22, E25, E27 and E30 Fuels Exempted From Double Excise Duty, Here’s The Reason
Design Changes and Features
The WagonR flex-fuel looks identical to the standard version from both the inside and the outside. The only visible difference includes ‘Flex Fuel’ decals on the sides, along with a ‘Bioflex’ badge on the tailgate.
In terms of features, it comes equipped with front fog lamps, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 speakers, powered side mirrors, manual AC with rear AC vents, six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and electronic stability control.
Will WagonR Flex Fuel Save Your Money?
As mentioned above, the WagonR Flex Fuel commands a premium of Rs 86,000 over the standard model. However, the E85 fuel is Rs 20 cheaper per litre than the regular E20 petrol in Delhi. So, at first glance, the running cost advantage looks promising on paper. But it’s a well-known fact that ethanol-blended fuels typically result in slightly lower fuel efficiency due to their low energy density. This means the per-km savings may not be as high as expected. Even with the best-case estimates, it could take several years of high monthly running to recover the initial premium. That said, the flex-fuel version might save money in the long run, but it will primarily benefit high-usage owners, like fleet operators.
Also Read: Diesel Cars May Also Run On Ethanol Blend Too – Here’s What It Means
