Jaguar Land Rover has officially begun Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly of the Land Rover Defender 110 at its Pune facility, delivering one of the most significant price corrections seen in India’s luxury SUV segment. The move brings the popular X-Dynamic HSE variants down by as much as ₹34 lakh, with the entry-level model now available under the psychological ₹1 crore mark. Bookings are open across showrooms and the official website, and deliveries of the locally assembled units are scheduled to begin on 15 November 2026.

This development makes India the first market outside Europe to produce the Defender locally. Until now, every unit sold here arrived as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) import from JLR’s plant in Nitra, Slovakia. The shift to CKD assembly reduces the import-duty burden substantially, allowing the company to pass on meaningful savings to customers while adding several previously optional features as standard equipment.

Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE: New Variant-Wise Prices

The price revision applies exclusively to the Defender 110 in X-Dynamic HSE trim. Three powertrains are offered, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (P300) variant is now priced at ₹99 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). This represents a reduction of approximately ₹14 lakh from its earlier CBU price of ₹1.13 crore. The six-cylinder options see the biggest cuts. Both the 3.0-litre turbo-petrol (P400) and the 3.0-litre diesel (D350) are now listed at ₹1.18 crore each, down from ₹1.52 crore. That translates to a straight ₹34 lakh saving on either engine.

All prices quoted are ex-showroom New Delhi. On-road figures will vary by state depending on registration charges, insurance and any additional accessories chosen by the buyer. The rest of the Defender range — including the Defender 90, Defender 130, Defender 110 Octa and higher-output V8 versions — continues to be imported as fully built units and retains its previous pricing structure.

Why the Prices Have Dropped So Sharply

The primary driver is the change in import classification. Completely Built-Up vehicles attract significantly higher customs duties than Completely Knocked Down kits. By assembling the vehicle in India from kits sourced from Slovakia, JLR lowers its landed cost and can therefore reduce the ex-showroom price. The company has also confirmed that the local programme is expected to support a volume increase of up to 20 per cent.

India has already become an important market for the Defender. More than 9,000 units have been sold since the model’s introduction, and it ranked as JLR India’s highest-selling model in the previous financial year. Local production shortens supply chains, reduces waiting periods and allows the brand to respond more quickly to demand spikes.

Additional Standard Features on Locally Assembled Models

Beyond the headline price cuts, the CKD versions receive a richer standard equipment list. On the 2.0-litre petrol variant, features previously available only as paid options and valued at up to ₹6.5 lakh are now included as standard. These typically encompass adaptive off-road cruise control, electronic air suspension with Adaptive Dynamics, three-zone climate control, an air purifier, Terrain Response 2 and Wade Sensing, among others.

The 3.0-litre petrol and diesel models gain an even longer list of previously optional items — reports indicate up to 29 additional features. Buyers therefore receive both a lower purchase price and a more comprehensively specified vehicle compared with the earlier imported equivalents.

Powertrains, Performance and Capability

The three engines remain unchanged in specification. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produces around 300 PS and 400 Nm. The 3.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol delivers approximately 400 PS and 550 Nm, while the 3.0-litre mild-hybrid diesel offers roughly 350 PS. Acceleration figures are competitive for the class: the diesel reaches 100 km/h in about 6.4 seconds, the 3.0 petrol in 6.1 seconds and the 2.0 petrol in 7.4 seconds.

All variants retain the Defender’s renowned off-road hardware, including permanent four-wheel drive, a sophisticated Terrain Response system, air suspension and impressive approach, departure and breakover angles. The locally assembled models are engineered to the same global standards as those produced in Slovakia.

Bookings, Deliveries and Market Impact

Customers can place bookings immediately through authorised Land Rover dealerships or online at the official website. First deliveries of the Pune-assembled Defender 110 are expected from 15 November 2026. The company has indicated that display vehicles will be available at dealerships within a short period.

The price reduction positions the Defender 110 more competitively against other large luxury SUVs in the Indian market. Crossing below ₹1 crore for the entry variant is particularly significant, as it expands the potential buyer pool while still offering the brand’s signature capability and presence. JLR expects the combination of lower pricing, richer specification and shorter waiting times to drive stronger sales volumes in the coming months.

Conclusion: The start of CKD assembly for the Land Rover Defender 110 marks a major milestone for JLR in India. With variant-wise price drops of up to ₹34 lakh, a richer standard feature list and deliveries beginning in mid-November, the model becomes more accessible without compromising the engineering that has made it an icon. For buyers who have been waiting for a more attainable entry point into the Defender family, the timing could hardly be better.

FAQ

1. What is the starting price of the new Defender 110 CKD in India?
The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol X-Dynamic HSE now starts at ₹99 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

2. How much has the price dropped on the 3.0-litre variants?
Both the 3.0-litre petrol and 3.0-litre diesel X-Dynamic HSE models are ₹34 lakh cheaper, now priced at ₹1.18 crore each.

3. Which variants are being locally assembled?
Only the Defender 110 in X-Dynamic HSE trim with the three engines listed above. Other body styles and higher-spec models remain fully imported.

4. When do deliveries of the locally assembled Defender 110 begin?
Deliveries are scheduled to start on 15 November 2026.

5. Are additional features included as standard?
Yes. Several previously optional items, valued at up to ₹6.5 lakh on the 2.0-litre model and a larger package on the six-cylinder versions, are now standard.

6. Where is the Defender 110 being assembled in India?
At JLR’s manufacturing facility in Pune (Chakan), Maharashtra, using CKD kits.