For luxury car enthusiasts in India, the “dream car” has often come with a nightmare price tag, largely due to import duties that can exceed 110%. However, as of April 2026, the tide is officially turning. With the implementation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), or CETA, the price of British-built icons like the Range Rover and the Jaguar F-Type is set for a historic correction.
The most explosive news? The ultra-exclusive Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two, currently retailing for approximately ₹2.75 crore, is expected to see its price slashed by nearly ₹40 lakh, bringing the ex-showroom cost down to roughly ₹2.35 crore.
The Math Behind the Magic: 110% to 30%
The reason for this massive price drop is a radical shift in customs policy. Under the new agreement, India has agreed to reduce import duties on fully built units (CBUs) coming from the UK from the current 110% to just 30% in the first year. Over the next five years, this duty is slated to drop further to a mere 10%.
For a flagship vehicle like the Range Rover SV 4.4, these savings are astronomical. Analysts suggest that the top-tier Range Rover variants could see total price reductions of up to ₹75 lakh, making them significantly more competitive against German rivals like the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
Why the “Sport SV” is the Big Winner
The Range Rover Sport SV represents the pinnacle of Land Rover’s performance engineering. By reducing the entry barrier by ₹40 lakh, JLR India is positioning the SV to steal market share from high-performance SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus and the BMW XM.
- New Entry Point: Reports suggest JLR will use this duty benefit to launch a new, standard SV variant priced at an even more aggressive ₹2.05 crore, offering world-class performance at a price point that was previously unthinkable for the brand.
The “Made in UK” Catch
It is important for buyers to note that these benefits are strictly tied to the Rules of Origin.
- The Beneficiaries: Only vehicles manufactured and assembled within the United Kingdom qualify. This includes the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and the Range Rover Velar.
- The Exception: The Land Rover Defender, despite being a British icon, is primarily manufactured at JLR’s plant in Nitra, Slovakia. Because Slovakia is part of the EU and not the UK, the Defender does not currently qualify for these specific FTA benefits, and its price is expected to remain stable.
Impact on the Luxury Landscape
This move places Jaguar Land Rover in a unique “first-mover” position. While brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are waiting for the India-EU FTA to be ratified—which experts suggest could take another two to three years—JLR is already passing on the savings.
However, there is a small caveat: the duty reduction applies only to a limited quota of vehicles initially. This means the first few batches of imported Range Rovers will likely sell out instantly as buyers rush to take advantage of the “FTA Discount.”
Final Verdict
The India-UK FTA is a watershed moment for the Indian automotive industry. It proves that India is ready to open its doors to global luxury in exchange for better access for Indian textiles and services. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about a Range Rover Sport SV, April 2026 is officially the time to call your dealer.
