India Yamaha Motor has launched the FZ Blue Flex, its first flex-fuel motorcycle in the country. It is priced at Rs 1,24,240 ex-showroom in Delhi.
The motorcycle can operate on petrol containing between 20 percent and 85 percent ethanol. It can therefore use regular E20 petrol as well as higher-ethanol E85 fuel where the latter is available.
Yamaha will initially sell it through selected Blue Square dealerships in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
The FZ Blue Flex uses a 149cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine paired with a five-speed gearbox.
It produces 8.6 kW, equivalent to approximately 11.53 bhp, and 12.8 Nm of torque. These figures are slightly lower than those of some petrol-only FZ variants, although differences between variants and test fuels must be considered before making a direct performance comparison.
Yamaha has not published detailed information about every internal component changed for flex-fuel operation. The engine management system and fuel-delivery components must accommodate different ethanol concentrations, but claims about extensive internal modifications, corrosion prevention or elimination of knocking go beyond the information released by the company.
A flex-fuel vehicle automatically adjusts fuelling and ignition according to the ethanol content detected in the tank. It can therefore run on different permitted blends without requiring the rider to change settings.
The motorcycle retains the broad proportions of Yamaha’s FZ range. It gets a full-LED projector headlamp with position lamps, a sculpted fuel tank, faux air vents, a compact exhaust and a single-piece seat.
An LED tail lamp and digital instrument display are also included. Yamaha’s product page lists smartphone-linked functions through the Y-Connect application, including notifications displayed on the instrument panel.
Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and a swingarm-mounted rear suspension unit. The motorcycle uses disc brakes and ABS.
Yamaha’s launch announcement names Metallic Black as the initial colour. Availability of other colours may depend on the region and production schedule.
Yamaha is not offering the FZ Blue Flex through its entire dealership network at launch. It will initially be available through selected Blue Square outlets in six states and union territories.
This restricted rollout reflects the limited availability of high-ethanol fuel. E20 petrol is now widely distributed, but E85 is not yet a normal option at most fuel stations.
The motorcycle can still operate on E20, so it does not depend on E85 for everyday use. However, the main advantage of its flex-fuel system will remain largely theoretical until E85 becomes easier to find.
Ethanol also contains less energy per litre than petrol. Fuel economy can therefore fall as the proportion of ethanol rises, although the final cost per kilometre will depend on the retail prices of E20 and E85.
The FZ Blue Flex joins a small but growing group of ethanol-compatible motorcycles. It is not accurate to describe it as only the fourth E85-capable two-wheeler.
Honda has launched the CB300F Flex-Fuel, while Suzuki sells the Gixxer SF 250 FFV. TVS introduced the E100-compatible Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 in 2019. Other manufacturers, notably Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj, have also displayed or introduced flex-fuel commuter motorcycles. Hero launched the Splendor and HF Deluxe E85 Flex Fuel motorcycles last month.
The FZ Blue Flex is still significant because it brings E85 compatibility to Yamaha’s familiar 150cc commuter platform at a lower price than the Honda and Suzuki flex-fuel motorcycles. Its wider impact will depend less on the motorcycle itself and more on whether E85 becomes consistently available at ordinary fuel stations.
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