As India aggressively pushes for the adoption of E85 flex-fuel to cut down on emissions and fuel costs, the automotive industry is racing to catch up. Yet, an unexpected pioneer from over a decade ago is stealing the spotlight. A routine service by an automotive workshop, The Mechanix Auto, recently revealed that the 2013 Bentley Flying Spur was engineered to run seamlessly on E85 ethanol blends long before the fuel ever arrived at Indian pumps.
While the ultra-luxury sedan requires a massive 12 liters of engine oil per service, its advanced, factory-fitted Flexible Fuel System allows it to dynamically map and run on any variation of unleaded petrol and high-concentration ethanol.
The Engineering Powerhouse: 2013 Bentley Flying Spur
The second-generation Flying Spur was far from an economy car trying to save on fuel; it was a high-performance land yacht. Bentley managed to marry environmental consciousness with raw power through an incredibly robust powertrain:
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Engine: 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12
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Power Output: 616 bhp and 800 Nm of torque
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Transmission: 8-speed automatic with All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
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Top Speed: A blistering 320 kmph
Bentley’s onboard fuel management system uses an advanced sensor network to calculate the exact ratio of ethanol to petrol in real time, automatically adjusting ignition timing without sacrificing its signature performance.
Understanding the E85 Landscape in India
The discovery is particularly relevant as India rolls out E85 fuel across several domestic fuel stations. Compared to traditional premium fuel, the economics and composition of the new alternative make a compelling case for flex-fuel adoption.
| Fuel Type | Composition | Current Market Price |
| Standard Petrol | ~90% Petrol / 10% Ethanol | ₹102 per liter |
| E85 Flex-Fuel | 85% Ethanol / 15% Petrol | ₹82 per liter |
A Quick Reality Check: The original text mentions E85 consists of “85 percent ethanol blended with 19 percent petrol.” Mathematically, that adds up to 104%! In reality, E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline (petrol).
A Stark Market Contrast
Despite the cost savings of ₹20 per liter, the Indian flex-fuel market is still in its infancy. Outside of a few mass-market two-wheelers—such as the Suzuki Gixxer, Hero Splendor Plus, and Hero HF Deluxe—very few compatible vehicles exist on Indian roads today.
While manufacturers look to re-engineer their modern fleets for the green transition, a 13-year-old, W12-powered British luxury icon is already perfectly equipped to pull up to the pump and fill up on India’s newest fuel.
