For the ultra-luxury buyer in India, the “imported” tag has long been a double-edged sword: you get the prestige, but you pay a nearly 100% tax premium. That changed this week. Land Rover has officially commenced local assembly (Complete Knock-Down or CKD) of the Range Rover Sport Autobiography at its Pune facility, slashing the entry price to ₹1.4 crore and the flagship Autobiography trim to ₹1.6 crore (ex-showroom).
By moving production from the UK to India, Land Rover isn’t just making the car “cheaper”—they are making it the most competitive “big-body” SUV in the segment, undercutting the fully imported Porsche Cayenne and BMW X7.
The Price of Localization: What Changed?
The most significant impact of local assembly is the price correction. Previously, as a CBU (Completely Built Unit), the Range Rover Sport Autobiography nudged the ₹1.9 crore mark. The shift to the Pune plant has resulted in a price reduction of roughly ₹29 lakh to ₹31 lakh, depending on the variant.
The Tactical Shift: JLR is specifically targeting the “Self-Drive Executive”—buyers who want the off-road capability of a Defender but the interior refinement of a full-sized Range Rover.
Performance: The Heart of the “Autobiography”
The India-spec Sport Autobiography is available with two formidable 3.0-litre, six-cylinder Ingenium engines, both featuring 48V mild-hybrid technology to smooth out the start-stop transitions in Indian traffic.
| Feature | 3.0L Petrol (P400) | 3.0L Diesel (D350) |
| Power | 394 hp | 345 hp |
| Torque | 550 Nm | 700 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 Seconds | 5.9 Seconds |
| Suspension | Dynamic Air Suspension | Dynamic Air Suspension |
Interior: A Digital Sanctuary
The Autobiography trim is the pinnacle of the “Sport” lineup. The cabin is centered around the 13.1-inch Pivi Pro infotainment screen, which features a curved glass interface that remains legible even under the harsh glare of the Indian sun.
- Acoustic Excellence: The SUV features Active Noise Cancellation embedded in the headrests, which uses counter-oscillating sound waves to cancel out the thrum of diesel engines and outside traffic.
- The “Cabin Air Purification Pro” System: A critical feature for Indian metros, this system filters PM2.5 particles and uses nanoe™ X technology to significantly reduce odors, bacteria, and allergens.
- Rear Seat Comfort: Despite the “Sport” moniker, the Autobiography offers 22-way heated and ventilated electric memory front seats and massage functions that rival the standard Range Rover.
The Verdict: Why This Move Matters
Land Rover’s decision to assemble the Sport locally is a clear signal that they view India as a primary growth hub, not just a niche market. By narrowing the price gap with the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover is betting that buyers will happily pay a small premium to jump from a “standard” luxury SUV to a “Range Rover” badge.
With the Dynamic Air Suspension now standard, the Sport Autobiography is perhaps the most versatile vehicle in the country—equally at home wading through 900mm of monsoon water as it is parked at a five-star hotel.
