Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel: E85 Compatibility, Price, Features And Performance

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel brings one of India’s most familiar commuter motorcycles into a more future-focused era. Instead of being restricted to conventional petrol or today’s commonly available ethanol-blended fuel, this version has been engineered to run on fuel blends ranging from E5 to E85, including a mixture containing up to 85% ethanol.

For a motorcycle designed primarily around affordability, simplicity and everyday practicality, the move is significant. Hero has retained the familiar Splendor formula while making changes to its fuel system and electronics to support higher ethanol content. The result is a motorcycle that looks almost identical to the standard Splendor Plus but offers an important difference underneath.

The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is also notable because it represents Hero MotoCorp’s first production flex-fuel motorcycle in India. It was introduced alongside the HF Deluxe Flex Fuel, giving buyers two familiar commuter options with ethanol compatibility.

Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel: What Makes It Special?

The biggest attraction is its ability to operate on a wide range of ethanol-blended fuels. The motorcycle is compatible with E5 through E85, meaning it can use regular petrol containing a small amount of ethanol as well as much higher ethanol blends.

To make this possible, Hero has revised the motorcycle’s ECU and fuel-system components. These changes are important because higher ethanol concentrations require appropriate fuel management and hardware compatibility.

The technology itself isn’t completely new for Hero. At Auto Expo 2023, the company showcased the Glamour Xtec Flex Fuel prototype, demonstrating its interest in ethanol-powered motorcycles. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel takes that idea from prototype stage to a production commuter motorcycle.

E85-Compatible 97.2cc Engine

Powering the motorcycle is a 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine paired with a familiar 4-speed gearbox. On E85 fuel, the engine produces 8.56PS and 8.3Nm.

Interestingly, those figures are slightly higher than the standard E20 petrol version of the Splendor Plus, which produces 8.02PS and 8.05Nm.

Specification	Splendor Plus Flex Fuel
Engine	97.2cc, air-cooled
Fuel compatibility	E5 to E85
Power on E85	8.56PS
Torque on E85	8.3Nm
Gearbox	4-speed
Technology	Flex-fuel compatible ECU & fuel system

However, the headline numbers aren’t necessarily the main reason to consider this motorcycle. Its real advantage is the ability to use higher ethanol blends as fuel availability expands.

For everyday commuters, this could become increasingly relevant as India’s fuel ecosystem continues to move towards greater ethanol blending.

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Familiar Splendor Design With a New Identity

Hero has taken a deliberately conservative approach to the design. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel looks remarkably similar to the standard Splendor Plus, which is actually a sensible decision for a motorcycle aimed at practical buyers.

It retains the familiar boxy headlamp, straightforward bodywork, conventional side panels and commuter-friendly proportions. There are no dramatic aerodynamic changes or aggressive styling elements to distinguish it as a completely new motorcycle.

The biggest visual difference is the colour and graphics package.

The motorcycle gets a black base colour with Lime Yellow graphics on the fuel tank and bodywork. These accents give the bike a slightly more modern appearance while also helping identify its flex-fuel character.

For Splendor buyers who prefer understated styling, this approach should feel familiar rather than radical.

Features: Proven Splendor Equipment With a Fresh Digital Touch

The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel largely carries over the equipment package from the standard Splendor Plus.

One of the notable features is Hero’s i3S idle-stop-start technology, designed to automatically shut down the engine under suitable conditions and restart it when required. This can help reduce unnecessary idling and support better fuel efficiency in traffic.

The motorcycle also gets a side-stand engine cut-off system, adding a useful layer of everyday safety.

A USB charging port is another practical addition, particularly for riders who depend on their smartphones for navigation and communication.

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Revised Instrument Cluster

There is a small difference in the instrument console as well.

Instead of the fully analogue setup found on the regular Splendor Plus, the Flex Fuel version combines an analogue speedometer with a digital fuel gauge.

It is more of a layout change than a major technological upgrade. Riders don’t get a dramatically more advanced connected instrument cluster, but the digital fuel indication does give the console a slightly updated appearance.

Lighting remains conventional, with halogen lights continuing to be used.

Another important point for buyers is braking equipment. The Splendor Plus Flex Fuel does not get a front disc brake. That equipment remains associated with the higher-spec Splendor Plus Xtec.

Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel Price in India

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is priced at Rs 82,710 ex-showroom in Delhi.

For comparison, the standard petrol-powered Splendor Plus costs Rs 77,777 ex-showroom Delhi. That puts the flex-fuel version at a premium of roughly Rs 5,000.

Its approximate on-road price in Delhi is around Rs 95,446.

Model	Price
Splendor Plus	Rs 77,777*
Splendor Plus Flex Fuel	Rs 82,710*
Flex Fuel Premium	Around Rs 5,000

*Ex-showroom Delhi.

For a 100cc commuter, even a Rs 5,000 premium can matter to budget-conscious customers. However, the additional cost isn’t simply for cosmetic changes. Buyers are paying for the revised fuel system, electronics and the ability to operate on much higher ethanol blends.

Why E85 Compatibility Matters

The biggest question is whether E85 compatibility offers a meaningful benefit to an Indian commuter today.

The answer depends heavily on fuel availability.

E85 contains substantially more ethanol than the blends commonly available to motorists. Therefore, the practical advantage of an E85-capable motorcycle becomes more relevant as higher ethanol blends become easier to obtain.

This makes the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel less about immediate performance gains and more about long-term fuel compatibility.

For someone planning to keep a commuter motorcycle for several years, that future-readiness could be an appealing reason to pay the additional premium.

Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
E5 to E85 fuel compatibility	Higher price than standard Splendor Plus
Future-focused ethanol technology	No front disc brake
Familiar, practical Splendor design	Conventional halogen lighting
8.56PS and 8.3Nm on E85	Limited visual changes
i3S idle-stop-start technology	E85 availability may vary by location
USB charging port	Not a major feature upgrade overall

Is the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel Worth Buying?

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel isn’t intended to completely reinvent the Splendor. Instead, it takes the motorcycle’s proven commuter formula and adds an important new capability underneath.

Its biggest selling point is undoubtedly E85 compatibility. The revised ECU and fuel-system components allow the 97.2cc engine to work with ethanol blends from E5 to E85, giving the motorcycle a level of fuel flexibility that the conventional version doesn’t offer.

At the same time, Hero has wisely retained the qualities that have made the Splendor name so familiar: simple styling, compact dimensions, straightforward equipment and an uncomplicated 4-speed transmission.

The approximately Rs 5,000 premium over the standard Splendor Plus is relatively modest, although buyers should consider whether higher ethanol-blend fuel is actually accessible in their area.

Final Verdict

The Hero Splendor Plus Flex Fuel is an interesting evolution of India’s iconic commuter motorcycle. It doesn’t rely on flashy styling or an extensive list of new features. Instead, its biggest innovation is hidden beneath the familiar design.

With E5-to-E85 compatibility, a 97.2cc engine, 8.56PS, 8.3Nm and a relatively small price premium, it offers a practical introduction to flex-fuel technology.

For buyers who want a familiar commuter today while preparing for a future with greater ethanol fuel usage, the Splendor Plus Flex Fuel makes a strong case. Its success, however, will ultimately depend not just on the motorcycle itself, but also on how widely higher ethanol blends become available to everyday riders.

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