Maruti Prices Wagon R Flex Fuel at ₹7.24 Lakh, Costs ₹86,000 More Than Petrol Model

Maruti Suzuki has announced the price of the Wagon R Bioflex at ₹7.24 lakh (ex-showroom), making it India's first mass-market flex-fuel hatchback to receive a price tag. Based on the top-spec Wagon R ZXi+ manual variant, the Bioflex commands a premium of ₹86,000 over its petrol counterpart.

The company had showcased the production-spec model earlier this month as part of its push towards alternative fuels and higher ethanol adoption in line with the government's biofuel roadmap. For now, however, the Wagon R Bioflex will be available only for the commercial sector.

Designed to Run on High Ethanol Blends

The Wagon R Bioflex is powered by Maruti Suzuki's 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12N naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the standard version, it has been engineered to run on fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85), with modifications including revised fuel injectors, upgraded fuel pumps, new fuel lines, an ethanol sensor and a recalibrated ECU.

While Maruti has not yet disclosed detailed performance figures or fuel efficiency numbers, the standard 1.2-litre Wagon R produces 91hp and 114Nm of torque.

Minimal Cosmetic Changes

Visually, the Bioflex version remains largely identical to the regular Wagon R, apart from "Flex Fuel" decals on the side profile and a "Bioflex" badge on the tailgate. The cabin also remains familiar, featuring a black-and-beige theme and equipment based on the ZXi+ trim.

Features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six airbags, and electronic stability control. Being based on the top-end variant, it is also expected to offer front fog lamps, rear parking sensors, four speakers and rear AC vents.

A Step Towards India's Ethanol Push

The launch comes as India continues to promote ethanol-blended fuels as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and lower emissions. Flex-fuel vehicles are capable of operating on varying blends of petrol and ethanol, allowing greater flexibility as fuel infrastructure evolves.

Whether such vehicles see widespread adoption will depend not only on pricing but also on the availability of higher ethanol blends across the country. For now, the Wagon R Bioflex serves as an early demonstration of the technology rather than a mainstream consumer offering.