Ethanol. The list of E85 compatible models without box in France

Launched with great fanfare in France in 2007, bioethanol has so far never really succeeded in breaking through there. Most manufacturers had also quickly stopped offering E85 compatible models for lack of return on investment. But the success of Kuga Flexifuel, in 2019, has proven that there is an interest of the French for this fuel, composed of 85% alcohol.

A craze that’s fairly easy to understand, when you look at its prices at the pump: € 0.67 per liter on average, instead of € 1.56 for unleaded 95-E10 and € 1.47 for diesel, which are taxed much more. Even LPG, now favored by Dacia and Renault, is more expensive, with its 0.85 € / l. While being more complex to use, with its two tanks, and present in only 1,650 stations in France, while superethanol claims 2,562.

Ford always at the forefront

Despite all these green signals, Ford is today the only one to offer a truly complete range. The Fiesta 1.0 FlexiFuel 95 hp, the Puma 1.0 Flexifuel 125 and the Focus 1.0 FlexiFuel 125 hp, with a slight hybridization as a bonus, opened their order book this spring. With three different versions of the same three-cylinder turbo. Professionals have not been forgotten, with a Transit Connect 1.0 FlexiFuel 100 in addition to the Fiesta Affaires. As for the Kuga, which had acted as a pioneer, it returns this fall with E85, based on its third generation this time. Better still, it combines this fuel with its 190 hp hybrid powertrain, to keep running costs as low as possible. As Ford has kept prices fairly close to those of the unleaded-only versions which were replaced, the success of this offensive already seems assured!

TO READ. Our test drive of the Ford Puma Flexifuel

Ford Flexifuel range prices

* available in sedan and station wagon

Jaguar-Land Rover as an outsider

Officially, only one other automotive group offers, in France, models capable of swallowing ethanol right out of the factory: Jaguar-Land Rover. For him, it is in particular a way to fight against the penalty, because a reduction of 40% on CO emissions₂ is foreseen in this case of figure, provided that the bar of 250 g / km is not crossed. Despite its 196 g / km on the WLTP cycle, the Range Rover Evoque Flexfuel thus escapes this tax, which would reach € 12,552 without it. Like the Ford E85 range, it also benefits from a free registration card in most regions of mainland France.Same story for his more family brother, the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and for his badged cousin Jaguar, the E-Pace. Three SUVs that share the same base and use the same mechanics, a 2.0 turbo four-cylinder 200 hp with mild hybridization, associated with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.

TO READ. Gray card: how much does it cost in your region?

Jaguar-Land Rover Flexifuel range prices

Varied but limited second-hand offer

In nine, unfortunately, our overview already stops there for the moment. Going back in time, however, we find many other models that were compatible with this biofuel from the factory. Most often, they were endowed with “ good old naturally aspirated engines », Easier to adapt.

Sweden having been one of the pioneering countries in this field, before easing off on ethanol, Volvo offered Flexifuel versions of the C30, S40, V50, V70 and S80. For its part, Saab declined its 9-3 and 9-5 in “ Biopower », With a 1.8 and a 2.0 turbo which displayed more power by fueling ethanol. A point in common with one of his compatriots, the manufacturer of supercars Koenigsegg, another defender of E85! We will also find this same 2.0 turbo on the cousin Opel Insignia.

At Ford, long before the old Kuga, there was a Flexifuel offer based on the Focus 2, C-Max 1, Mondeo 3, Galaxy 1 and S-Max 1. The American then owned Volvo, this which explains similarities. Volkswagen meanwhile offered a Multifuel variant of its Golf 7, while the second-generation Bentley Continental GT W12 could gobble up alcohol without complaining. Jeep is also on the list with its Grand Cherokee 3.6 V6. Even Dacia and Renault, before betting everything on LPG, had offered a real range going from the Sandero to the Kangoo, while the first generations of Peugeot 308 and Citroën C4 existed in Bioflex. But if the list is substantial, sales were then very discreet. Most of them marketed before 2010, these vehicles are therefore very rare in the advertisements: it is better to arm yourself with patience to find the rare pearl.

• Bentley: Continental GT and Flying Spur W12 (old generation)
• Citroën: C4 1.6i 16v Bioflex 113 hp
• Dacia: Sandero 1.6 MPI 90, Logan MCV 1.6 16v 105 ch and Duster 1.6 16v 105 ch Bioethanol
• Ford: Focus II and C-Max I 1.8 125 hp FlexiFuel, Mondeo III, Galaxy I and S-Max I 2.0 145 hp FlexiFuel, Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost 150 hp FlexiFuel
• Jeep: Grand Cherokee 3.6 V6 FlexFuel 286 hp
• Opel: Insignia I 2.0 Turbo Flexfuel 220 hp
• Peugeot: 308 I 1.6 16v Bioflex 110 hp
• Renault: Clio III, Modus and Grand Modus 1.2 16v 75 ch Ethanol, Mégane II and Kangoo II 1.6 16v 105 ch Ethanol, Mégane III, Scénic III and Grand Scénic III 1.6 16v 110 ch Ethanol, Laguna III 2.0 16v BioEthanol 140 ch
• Saab: 9-3 1.8t 150 hp and 2.0t 175 hp / 200 hp Biopower, 9-5 2.0t 180 hp and 2.3t 210 hp Biopower
• Volkswagen: Golf VII 1.4 TSI 125 hp Multifuel
• Volvo: C30, S40 and V50 1.8 F 125 ch and 2.0 F 145 ch Flexifuel, V70 and S80 2.0 F 145 ch and 2.5 FT 200/231 ch Flexifuel

The alternative of approved boxes

Many other models are however well compatible, provided that an approved case is fitted a posteriori. Despite the significant cost of this transformation, it is an alternative to consider, especially since the regulations have changed this year. Vehicles of 15 HP and more are now accepted, as are those fitted with a particulate filter. On the other hand, this generally makes you lose the manufacturer’s warranty., and that proposed by the installer and / or the manufacturer of the box is far from covering everything. This alternative is therefore intended more for used buyers or those who keep their car long enough. Some models, such as Toyota hybrids, are also known to accept E85 without any modification. But beware, even if forums and social networks are swarming with testimonials encouraging you to do so, it remains at your own risk: there is no guarantee that your engine will keep the same lifespan as gasoline. An indicator may also remain on in this case.

On the same topic

• E85: can we drive on ethanol without a kit?
• Bioethanol E85: where to install your conversion kit?
• E85 box: what are the risks?
• Flex3 system: driving economically with three fuels