With authorities pushing for greater ethanol-blended petrol, mass-market carmakers have been working towards bringing flex gas autos to our market. Infact, Maruti Suzuki was the primary carmaker to start manufacturing and launch a flex gas car with the Wagon R Bioflex. Different carmakers equivalent to Toyota, Hyundai, Tata, and Kia have additionally showcased flex-fuel fashions that present readiness for greater blends of ethanol-blended petrol. With E85 fuel dispensing stations being established throughout the nation, extra carmakers might be a part of the flex gas bandwagon sooner or later. Under is an inventory of all of the flex-fuel vehicles showcased in India, with some able to working purely on ethanol as effectively.
Toyota Corolla flex gas
Toyota showcased its flex-fuel know-how capabilities with the Corolla hybrid. Revealed in October 2022, the sedan makes use of a 102hp, 142Nm 1.8-litre petrol engine mated to a robust hybrid system and is able to working on E100 gas. It’s unlikely to make it to our market, however on the time, Toyota mentioned that its flex-fuel car might arrive right here if E85 or pure ethanol may be provided throughout India, on condition that the know-how is prepared. We even had the chance to experience the flex-fuel Corolla on a test track.
Toyota Innova Hycross flex gas prototype
In August 2023, Toyota revealed a prototype of the Innova Hycross flex fuel. Like the usual Hycross, it utilises the identical 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired to an electrical motor. Engine tweaks embody totally different spark plugs and piston ring tops, in addition to valves and valve seals designed to be waterproof and forestall corrosion. It additionally will get a three-way catalyst within the exhaust system to scale back hydrocarbon emissions. Ethanol-compatibility modifications have been achieved to the car’s gas filter, gas pump and gas strains.
Tata Punch flex gas
Tata showcased its first flex-fuel model within the type of the Punch SUV, although in pre-facelift guise. It has the 88hp, 115Nm 1.2-litre petrol engine that additionally powers the present mannequin. The engine is able to working on blends of as much as E85 and has modified ECU software program, gas injector techniques and an exhaust after-treatment system to adapt to totally different ethanol blends.
Hyundai Creta flex gas
Hyundai revealed the Creta flex gas on the Auto Expo 2025 to focus on its readiness for flex-fuel know-how. The SUV’s engine has been modified to run on E100 ethanol. However as an alternative of utilizing the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol or turbo-petrol that’s obtainable on the India-spec mannequin, it will get a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that does obligation within the Venue and i20 N Line. It develops 120hp and 172Nm, and is paired to a 6-speed torque converter automated, in contrast to the 7-speed DCT on the Venue and i20.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R flex gas
The Maruti Wagon R Bioflex is the primary flex-fuel automotive that went on sale within the nation. Maruti unveiled the production-spec Wagon R flex gas years after unveiling its prototype in 2022. It’s powered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine that additionally does obligation in the usual mannequin. Whereas the Wagon R is appropriate with working on E100 gas, it has been homologated to solely run on E85 gas. Like the remainder of the vehicles right here, it will get upgraded gas injectors and gas pumps, new gas strains, a newly calibrated ECU, and an ethanol sensor for ethanol compliance.
Kia Syros FFV Idea
Kia India showcased its dedication to bringing flex-fuel vehicles to India with the Syros flex fuel vehicle (FFV) concept. In line with Kia, the Syros FFV is able to working on pure petrol, pure ethanol, and ranging ethanol-petrol blends. It appears to be like an identical to the usual Syros, however beneath the bonnet is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged engine which has tweaked parts for compatibility with ethanol and is paired with a 6-speed torque converter automated. Arrival of a production-spec model is but to be confirmed by Kia.