Hero MotoCorp launches E85-compatible versions of Splendor+ and HF Deluxe in India; Maruti Suzuki also unveils the first E85 fuel-compliant Wagon R Flex Fuel car in the country

Just a few days back, the Indian government launched the E85 fuel, which is an ethanol-blended fuel that contains up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. The E85 is said to provide a cleaner and cost-effective alternative to standard fuel, utilising domestic agricultural resources instead of imported crude oil. The fuel will be used for vehicles compliant with E85 and will be substantially cheaper than normal fuel.

Hero MotoCorp has introduced the flex-fuel versions of the Splendor+ and HF Deluxe motorcycles in India.

Flex-Fuel Splendor+ and HF Deluxe motorcycles

The bikes come with a 97.2cc single-cylinder engine, which is now adapted to run on Ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E85. The engine produces 8.6hp at 8,000rpm and 8.3 Nm at 6,000 rpm on E85.

Hero has equipped the motorcycles with revised ECU calibration and upgraded fuel system components, including a new fuel pump and secondary fuel filter, to support operation on higher ethanol blends.

Both motorcycles receive a digi-analogue instrument cluster, a side-stand engine cut-off and tubeless tyres, while the Splendor+ Fles Fuel additionally gets Hero’s i3S idle stop-start system. The bikes come with new Black with Lime Yellow graphics.

The Splendor+ Flex Fuel looks identical to the standard Hero Splendor+, while the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel bike also retains the familiar design of the standard motorcycle.

Pricing & Availability

The Splendor+ Flex Fuel version is priced at Rs 82,710, and the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel version is priced at Rs 72,792 (both ex-showroom). The bikes will go on sale in Delhi and select regions of Maharashtra from July 2026, before being rolled out to other markets across the country.

After the launch of these bikes, Maruti has also introduced India’s first flex-fuel passenger car- Wagon R Flex Fuel.

Maruti Wagon R Flex Fuel

The Wagon R Flex Fuel is fully compatible with E85 Fuel. It has been engineered to operate seamlessly on ethanol blends ranging from conventional petrol to E85. The vehicle also features modifications to its engine management system, fuel delivery components and materials used in the fuel system, to support higher ethanol concentrations.

Essentially, it can run on any blend of petrol and ethanol ranging from E20 to E100. It uses a K12N, 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine. It includes upgraded fuel injectors and fuel pumps, new fuel lines, a newly calibrated ECU and an ethanol sensor to detect the level of ethanol in the fuel.

The company has not revealed any specs or pricing of this vehicle, but we may soon come across the details.