Maruti Suzuki has taken another big step in India’s green mobility journey. The company has unveiled the Fronx Flex Fuel (FFV) at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, showcasing its commitment to cleaner and more sustainable fuels.
This version of the Fronx can run on E85 fuel, which contains up to 85% ethanol. It’s designed to be future-ready, especially as the Indian government plans to increase the ethanol blend in petrol to 30% in the coming years.
Built to Support India’s Ethanol Future
The Fronx Flex Fuel Variant is based on the Japan-spec model, powered by a 1.5-litre K15 Series naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, this version has been specially modified to handle ethanol-blended fuels.
The biggest changes are found in the fuel storage, supply, and injection systems, which are now fully compatible with E85 fuel.
The ECU (engine control unit) in the Flex Fuel Fronx is more advanced. It can detect how much ethanol is in the fuel and adjust the engine settings to ensure smooth combustion, strong performance, and optimal mileage.
Cleaner and Smarter Powertrain
Maruti Suzuki says this setup makes the Fronx FFV a cleaner and more efficient vehicle, ideal for future fuel transitions. The system automatically fine-tunes parameters like air-fuel ratio and ignition timing to make sure the car runs efficiently on any ethanol blend, whether it’s E20 or E85.
Currently, India uses E20 fuel, which contains up to 20% ethanol. The introduction of an E85-compatible vehicle signals the company’s readiness for the next stage of India’s biofuel adoption.
Expected India Launch and Engine Options
Maruti Suzuki plans to launch the Fronx Flex Fuel Variant in India in 2026. This will make it the first mass-market flex fuel vehicle from an Indian manufacturer.
While the global model uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the India-spec Fronx FFV might feature a smaller Z12 engine to maintain tax benefits in the sub-4-metre category. Maruti could also use this opportunity to test flex-fuel compatibility for future models like the Brezza or Baleno.
Why Flex Fuel Matters
Flex fuel technology allows a car to run on petrol, ethanol, or any blend in between. Ethanol burns cleaner than petrol and helps reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels.
With India promoting E20 fuel nationwide by 2025, vehicles like the Fronx FFV will help consumers transition smoothly to greener alternatives.
Conclusion
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx Flex Fuel Variant is more than just another model — it’s a statement of intent. Maruti wants to lead India’s flex fuel revolution, just as it did with CNG and hybrid vehicles.
If launched as planned in 2026, the Fronx FFV could pave the way for mass adoption of ethanol-based mobility and give Maruti an early edge in the race for sustainable cars.
