Land Rover Defender to launch in India on October 15

Jaguar Land Rover India will launch the new Land Rover Defender in India on October 15. Bookings have already begun, given that the off-roader was originally supposed to be launched in August. The COVID19 pandemic has caused this to be delayed to the new date. The Defender is a ground-up new take on the 4x4 icon, first debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019. Prices are expected to start from Rs 69.99 lakh

The Indian-spec Defender will come with a single-engine option. This will be the 2.0-litre engine turbo-petrol in its P300 guise, with outputs of 300PS and 400 Nm and paired with JLR's version of the ZF eight-speed automatic. Both the three-door SWB 90 and the five-door LWB 110 version will be offered here, each with five trim levels. These will be the Base, S, SE, HSE and First Edition.

The Defender is being brought in as a CBU and will get notable features like the 360-degree Surround Camera, Wade Sensing, Electronic Air Suspension (Standard on 110), Smartphone Pack, Connected Navigation Pro, Off-Road tyres, Centre Console with refrigerated compartment (optional), among other things. Like the international version, the Indian-spec car will be highly customisable with a range of seating combinations and accessory packs to choose from.

The new Defender sits on the all-new D7X platform, not shared with any other Land Rover. This is aluminium monocoque structure three times stiffer than body-on-frame cars. The live-axle suspension has also been replaced by independent ones with air suspension available on higher trims. Adding off-roading capability to this is the permanent all-wheel drive, a twin-speed automatic gearbox, centre differential and an optional active locking rear differential.

Notable new off-roading tech is the debut of the fully configurable Terrain Response system. Land rover's ground-view camera is also available, which show the area usually hidden by the bonnet. This new architecture gives the Defender a ground clearance of 291mm and approach, departure and break-over angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively for the 110 version. There's also 900mm of wading depth on offer through the new wade program in the Terrain Response 2 system. The Land Rover Defender will compete with the Jeep Wrangler in India.

The Defender will compete in India against the Jeep Wrangler and the Mercedes-Benz G 350d.