Luxury cars in India are usually very expensive as compared to the global markets due to the high tax imposed on the imported car as they are imported to the country via the completely built unit route. However, there is another way to reduce the price of an imported car in India, that is via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits route. Under this method the cars are imported as kits that can be assembled, and though they are also taxed heavily, the tax on cars that come through the CKD route is not that high as compared to the completely built units as the CKD kits have to be assembled locally. Now the latest luxury SUV to take the CKD route is the Range Rover Velar. The CKD import of luxury SUV Range Rover Velar will ensure that the SUV sees its price drastically reduced by Rs. 10 lakhs.
Earlier the British marker imported the Velar to India as a completely built unit. The price of the car then was Rs. 82.9 lakhs, ex-showroom pan India. However, as the luxury SUV will now be brought to India via the CKD route and will be assembled at JLR’s Chikli factory near Pune, the prices for the Range Rover Velar will drop down to Rs. 72.47 lakhs, ex-showroom.
The president and managing director of Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), Rohit Suri, spoke about the brand’s move to assemble the lower variants of Velar in India and added,
We continue to focus on providing the best of British design, luxury and technology at highly competitive prices and we are sure that local manufacturing of the Range Rover Velar will make it even more desirable. This also reaffirms our commitment to the Indian market and to our customers.
Keep in mind that the high-end trims of Range Rover Velar will not be assembled in India and will still come in as completely built units and will continue to command a steep price in the market. The company will only assemble the R-Dynamic S variant of Velar in India. The entry level trim of Velar comes with 2 engine options. The first engine option is a 2L turbocharged diesel engine rated to deliver 180 PS and 430 Nm. The second option is the 2L turbocharged petrol engine rated to deliver 250 PS and 365 Nm. Both the engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and come with AWD as standard. The pricier models of Velar come with engines rated to deliver more power. While the top sped petrol engine is still a 2L unit, it is rated to deliver 296 Bhp and 400 Nm. Whereas the other option in the higher-spec variant is that of a 3L V6 turbocharged diesel engine rated to deliver 296 Bhp and 700 Nm.
As far as the features of the entry level model of Velar are concerned, they have a Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, Activity Key, Wi-Fi & Pro Services, Meridian Sound System with an output of 380W, 4-zone Climate Control, Cabin Air Ionization, Premium Leather interiors, 50.8 cm (20) wheels with Full size spare wheel, R-Dynamic exterior pack, Adaptive Dynamics, Premium LED headlights with signature LED DRL and Park Assist.