Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has showcased its Wagon R flex fuel prototype model that is designed to run on any ethanol-petrol blend between 20 per cent (ethanol 20 per cent or E20) and 85 per cent (ethanol 85 per cent or E85) fuel for the Indian market.
The model was recently unveiled in the presence of the minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari. The car is designed and developed locally by the Maruti engineers with support from Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan.
The Wagon R Flex Fuel prototype vehicle has an upgraded engine designed specifically to use higher ethanol blended petrol. To make the engine compatible with higher ethanol blends (E20-E85), new fuel system technologies such as heated fuel rail for cold start assist and ethanol sensor for ethanol percentage detection have been built.
Further, components like the engine management system, upgraded fuel pump and fuel injector, among others, have been developed along with the upgradation of other mechanical components.
Hisashi Takeuchi, managing director and CEO of MSIL, said: “Maruti Suzuki has consistently aligned itself to the national objectives of reducing the country’s oil import burden and improving the environment. Designed and developed locally in India with support from SMC, Japan, the Wagon R Flex Fuel prototype vehicle operating on E85 fuel will help reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by 79 per cent as compared to a conventional gasoline Wagon R model while ensuring the same power performance.”
Takeuchi said Maruti will introduce the first flex fuel vehicle for the compact segment in 2025. The company is also working on a variety of technologies, including electric, hybrid electric, CNG, bio-gas, ethanol, and flex fuel. The company will make its entire product range E20 fuel material compliant by March 2023.
Merc workshop
Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz inaugurated a new workshop facility at its dealership in Calcutta, Benchmark Interkrafts, on Taratalla Road.
This is Mercedes-Benz’sfirst facility in east India based on MAR 2020, its new brand presentation. MAR 2020 brand presentation includes a combination of spatial design, advisory processes and the introduction of digitalisation.
