Land Rover Defender 110 prices slashed by up to Rs 34 lakh as local assembly begins

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has commenced local assembly of the Defender 110 in India, reducing prices of the luxury SUV by as much as Rs 34 lakh. The vehicle is now being assembled at the company's Pune facility using completely knocked down (CKD) kits, replacing the earlier arrangement under which the model was imported as a fully built vehicle.

The locally assembled Defender 110 is available in the X-Dynamic HSE trim with three engine options, including a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, a 3.0-litre petrol and a 3.0-litre diesel. Prices now start at Rs 99 lakh, ex-showroom, New Delhi, making the SUV significantly more affordable than its imported counterpart.

Prices reduced across three variants

The 3.0-litre petrol and diesel versions of the Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE are now priced at Rs 1.18 crore each, compared with their earlier ex-showroom prices of Rs 1.52 crore. This represents a reduction of Rs 34 lakh for both variants.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol version, meanwhile, is now available at Rs 99 lakh, down from Rs 1.13 crore, translating into a price reduction of Rs 14 lakh.

The revised prices apply to the locally assembled Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE. Other Defender models, including the Defender 90, Defender 130 and high-performance Defender Octa, will continue to be imported as completely built units.

Three engine options available

The locally assembled Defender 110 retains its existing engine options, offering customers a choice between petrol and diesel powertrains.

The entry-level 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces approximately 300hp, while the larger 3.0-litre petrol unit develops 400hp. The 3.0-litre diesel engine generates 350hp.

All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The availability of multiple engine options allows buyers to choose between the relatively more accessible 2.0-litre petrol model and the more powerful 3.0-litre petrol and diesel versions.

Additional features now standard

Alongside the price reduction, JLR has added several features as standard equipment to the locally assembled 2.0-litre petrol Defender 110.

The company has included equipment worth up to Rs 6.5 lakh that was previously available as optional extras on the imported model.

These features include adaptive off-road cruise control, air suspension with adaptive dynamics, an interior rear-view mirror, three-zone climate control and an air purifier.

Other standard equipment includes headlight washers, a spare-wheel lock, a body-coloured spare-wheel cover, manual third-row seats and a refrigerator integrated into the front centre console.

The SUV also receives 14-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating, cooling and memory functions.

Local assembly brings cost benefits

The reduction in prices follows JLR's decision to assemble the Defender 110 in India rather than import fully built vehicles from its manufacturing facility in Slovakia.

Under the CKD arrangement, vehicle components are imported and assembled at the company's Pune facility. This attracts lower import duties compared with importing completely built vehicles, allowing manufacturers to reduce prices.

India has become the first market outside Europe to undertake local production of the Defender.

JLR's facility in Chakan, Pune, has previously assembled several models for the Indian market, including vehicles from the Range Rover and Discovery families.

The move is expected to strengthen the Defender's position in India's luxury SUV segment, where high import duties have traditionally contributed to elevated prices.

Bookings open, deliveries from November 15

Bookings for the locally assembled Defender 110 have opened through authorised dealerships and online channels, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin on November 15.

JLR India Managing Director Rajan Amba said the company had sold more than 9,000 Defender vehicles in India and expected the latest price reduction to support further growth.

The company anticipates that local assembly could increase Defender sales volumes by around 20 per cent.

While the Defender 110 will now be assembled in India for domestic customers, global production will continue at JLR's Nitra facility in Slovakia, which will also manufacture other Defender body styles and high-performance variants.