7 Automakers Are Ready To Launch Flex Fuel Vehicles: What To Expect
We are sure you must have heard about flex-fuel vehicles being in the pipeline of major automakers, right? Well, in the coming period, we will be seeing the launch of a number of new vehicles which will be capable of running on much higher ethanol blends like E85 and even E100. What makes flex-fuel vehicles special is that these vehicles are designed to automatically detect the ethanol percentage in the fuel and adjust engine settings accordingly. And today, we will be providing you with the details of the upcoming flex-fuel vehicles in India.
Suzuki Motor Corporation last year, at the Japan Mobility Show, displayed the Fronx FFV Concept. This particular vehicle, which will be made in India, will be the flex-fuel version of the Fronx sold by Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Its engine will be capable of running on ethanol blends of up to 85 percent.
In terms of design, the Fronx FFV will look almost identical to the standard model. However, the concept vehicle was shown with yellow graphics and FFV decals to separate it from the standard version. Now, coming to the biggest highlight, its ethanol-compatible powertrain.
Presently, Suzuki Motor Corporation or Maruti Suzuki India Limited have not officially confirmed all the technical details of the upcoming Fronx in India. However, it is expected to either be based on the 1.2-litre Z12E naturally aspirated petrol engine, which currently produces 90 PS and 113 Nm.
As per the company, to efficiently run on E85 fuel, Suzuki has added ethanol-resistant fuel lines, upgraded injectors, revised fuel pumps, and an ethanol concentration sensor. With these, the ECU automatically adjusts fuel injection and spark timing depending on the ethanol content.
Maruti Suzuki had already confirmed that its first flex-fuel vehicle for India will arrive by March 2026. However, since it has not been launched, this means the plans have been delayed. However, we can still be hopeful that it might be launched by the end of this year.
Apart from the Fronx flex fuel, Maruti Suzuki in India has already showcased the Wagon R flex fuel, and it is expected to become India’s first mass-market flex-fuel car. Maruti Suzuki has shown the almost production-ready prototype of this vehicle at Auto Expo 2023 and Bharat Mobility Expo 2025.
In terms of the design, the Wagon R flex fuel looks very similar to the standard version apart from green accents and flex-fuel badging. Inside, it is expected to get a display showing ethanol blend levels. Powering this hatchback will be the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, but with extensive modifications.
These will include a heated fuel rail, revised injectors, an upgraded fuel pump, an ethanol sensor, and a recalibrated ECU. The engine will support fuel blends ranging from E20 to E85 while remaining BS6 Phase 2 compliant.
Toyota has unveiled the Innova Hycross flex-fuel prototype with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. This MPV will be more unique because it will combine a strong hybrid setup with an ethanol-compatible engine. And this makes it one of the most advanced flex-fuel vehicles showcased so far in India.
The prototype of the Innova Hycross flex fuel gets the same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine from the standard Hycross hybrid. Combined power from this strong hybrid setup is 186 PS. It has been highlighted that Toyota has modified this hybrid system to support ethanol blends of up to E85 and still maintain similar performance as the standard model.
Last year, Hyundai showcased the Creta Flex Fuel prototype at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025. This SUV became a talking point because the company highlighted that it can operate on anything between E0 and E100 fuel blends. Unlike the standard Creta, the flex-fuel version gets a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which makes around 118 bhp and 170 Nm.
This engine will come paired with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. Hyundai at the time explained that it has heavily modified the fuel system and ECU to support pure ethanol combustion and maintain performance. In terms of styling, the flex-fuel version looks almost identical to the standard SUV. When it will be launched has not been confirmed.
Tata Motors also showcased the Punch Flex Fuel at Auto Expo 2025 and confirmed that it plans to launch at least one flex-fuel vehicle by end-2026 or early 2027. Now, recently, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, has confirmed that by the end of 2026, Tata Motors will be launching its first flex-fuel vehicle in India.
Powering the Punch Flex Fuel will be a modified 1.2-litre petrol engine, which will be capable of supporting ethanol blends from E20 up to E100. Tata has reportedly added revised injectors, ethanol sensors, corrosion-resistant fuel lines, and ECU recalibration to be able to support high ethanol content.
Just a while ago, Mahindra Automotive also confirmed that it is currently developing E30-rated flex-fuel engines. At the moment, the company has given no details of which specific model will be getting this engine. However, it has highlighted that it is currently working on ethanol sensors, heated injectors, fuel rail heaters, and revised ECU systems for its upcoming flex-fuel vehicles.
The Chennai-based bikemaker Royal Enfield has also started testing a flex-fuel version of the Classic 350 motorcycle. Recently, a test mule was spotted with an “E85 Fuel” sticker near the fuel filler cap. Also a fully undisguised model with E85 sticker was also seen. The motorcycle is expected to use the same 349cc J-Series engine currently seen in the Classic 350, Hunter 350, and Meteor 350. This engine has most likely been modified with ethanol-compatible fuel lines, revised injectors, and ECU recalibration to support E85 fuel. Most likely, it will be launched this year.
Last on this list is the TVS Raider flex fuel. TVS showcased the Raider Flex Fuel at Bharat Mobility Expo 2024 and confirmed that it plans to launch flex-fuel motorcycles in phases. The Raider flex fuel will use the same 124.8cc single-cylinder engine and produce 11.2 bhp and 11.2 Nm. However, it will now support E85 fuel using TVS’ Flex Fuel Technology. The motorcycle will also get unique graphics and FFT badging to differentiate it from the standard Raider.