Maruti Suzuki has launched the Maruti Wagon R Bioflex at the ex-showroom price of Rs. 7.24 lakh. Available in a single fully loaded ZXi Plus variant, the Wagon R Bioflex is India’s first mass-market flex-fuel passenger vehicle and is based on the standard ZXi Plus variant of the Maruti Wagon R. Let’s take a closer look at the Maruti Wagon R Bioflex.
Maruti Wagon R Bioflex: Design
The Wagon R Bioflex has nearly the same design as the standard Wagon R. Upfront, it gets a large angular housing for the halogen headlamp cluster, a chrome-treated grille, and a trapezoidal blacked-out bumper flanked by foglamps in black surrounds. The side profile highlights the familiar tallboy design, 14-inch alloy wheels, and blacked-out C-pillars that create a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Wagon R Bioflex features signature vertically stacked tail lamps, chromed trim with ‘Wagon R’ embossed on it, and a blacked-out bumper for added contrast. Keeping the Wagon R Bioflex distinguishable from the standard Wagon are the ‘Flex Fuel’ decals on the sides and ‘Bioflex’ badging at the back.
Maruti Wagon R Bioflex: Interior and Features
Like the exterior, the interior of the Wagon R Bioflex is designed the same as the standard Wagon R.
With a dual-tone black and beige interior theme and fabric upholstery, the Wagon R Bioflex gets a rather upright and sharply designed dashboard. Integrated onto the dashboard is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system flanked by AC vents, and below the touchscreen are manual AC controls, charging ports, and a 12V socket. The Wagon R Bioflex gets a three-spoke steering wheel and an analogue instrument cluster with a Multi Information Display (MID).
In terms of features, the Wagon R Bioflex packs a 7-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a four-speaker audio system, manual AC, steering-mounted controls, electrically adjustable and power-folding ORVMs, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, all four power windows, manually adjustable day/night IRVM, and built-in navigation.
For the safety kit, the Wagon R Bioflex gets 6 airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), ABS with EBD, hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, seatbelt reminders for all occupants, and speed-sensing door locks.
Maruti Wagon R Bioflex: Engine and Transmission
The Maruti Wagon R Bioflex is powered by the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine that powers the standard Wagon R. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, this engine produces 92 PS power and 114 Nm peak torque, and is capable of running on ethanol blends ranging between E20 and E100. To make it compatible with higher ethanol blends, this engine comes with upgraded fuel injectors, fuel pumps, a new fuel line, a recalibrated ECU, and an ethanol sensor. While the Wagon R Bioflex is compatible with up to an E100 ethanol blend (100% ethanol), it has been homologated for up to an E85 blend for now.
While Maruti Suzuki has not revealed the ARAI fuel efficiency figures of the Wagon R Bioflex, its mileage is expected to be lower than that of the standard model. For reference, the standard Wagon R’s 1.2-litre petrol engine has an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 23.56 km/l with the 5-speed manual gearbox and 24.43 km/l with the 5-speed AMT.
Maruti Wagon R Bioflex: Price and Rivals
The Maruti Wagon R Bioflex is priced at Rs. 7.24 lakh (ex-showroom), and as India’s first production-spec flex-fuel car, it is in a league of its own. Although the Wagon R Bioflex can be considered a futuristic and greener alternative to the Maruti Celerio, Maruti Swift, Tata Tiago, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios.
