Precisely two months ago, Jaguar Land Rover India (JLR India) launched the all-new Defender. Arriving on Indian soil as a petrol-only model and via the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route, its price list ranged between Rs 73.98 lakh and Rs 90.46 lakh. Now, the company has decided to further expand the model’s range by introducing the first-ever plug-in hybrid model in India. In other words, you can now book the plug-in hybrid or PHEV variant of the Defender.

The derivative in question will wear the P400e tag and will be available in 110 (five-door) form only. As for the trim levels, there are four on offer – SE, HSE, X-Dynamic HSE and X. The main talking point, however, is the powertrain. It comprises of a 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor, an 8-speed automatic gearbox and a permanent all-wheel-drive system. Land Rover says that total system output is 398bhp/640Nm, which makes it the most powerful variant in the entire range. And, thanks to the electrification, it is also the most fuel-efficient.

Performance figures? Even though the Defender 110 PHEV weighs over 2,500kgs dry, it can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 5.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 209kmph (with Performance Pack). The electric motor gets its juices from a 19.2kWh battery, which can be charged using a 15amp socket or a 7.4kW AC wall box charger.

As you’d expect, the list of features will be in-line with those conventionally-powered variants. So, you can opt for a derivative which offers a sliding panoramic sunroof, Matrix LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, a Meridian sound system, a ClearSight IRVM and 14-way electrically-adjustable front seats with memory, heating and cooling functions. Other features on offer include a head-up display, a 10-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, 3D surround camera, 360-degree parking aid and driver condition monitor.

Expect JLR India to unveil the Defender PHEV’s price early next month. Presently, there’s no other plug-in hybrid SUV available in the country. The only SUV that comes close (powertrain-wise) would be the Lexus RX 450hL, which has a self-charging hybrid setup and costs Rs 1.04 crore.