Bollywood actor-politician Sunny Deol recently rode into the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh in his newly acquired Land Rover Defender Octa Edition One. The route led him to the formidable Baralacha La mountain pass, perched at an eye-watering 16,040 feet above sea level.
We recently caught the actor at Kukhra mountain pass. Photos circulating on social media showed Deol posing comfortably in front of his Rs 2.8 crore war machine with imposing landscape of the Himachal Pradesh-Ladakh border area, serving as the perfect backdrop
First Bollywood Celebrity With Defender Octa
Deol is the first Bollywood star to possess a Defender Octa Edition One. More to add to his collection! It’s perfect timing as it follows closely his successful wrapping up of the Border 2 shooting.
The seasoned actor’s decision is symbolic of his history with Land Rover cars. He has earlier used a Land Rover Defender 110 in Fuji White as well, using which he went on numerous mountain expeditions across North India.
Defender Octa: Technical Specifications
The Defender Octa Edition One is the most powerful off-road Land Rover available. Key specifications include:
- Engine: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with mild hybrid assist
- Power: 626 hp and 750 Nm maximum torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic gearbox
- Price: Around Rs 2.8 crore (ex-showroom)
The front and rear bumpers are new, there’s a wider grille and wider side wheel arches, new 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique quad exhaust system. Deol’s Defender model comes finished in matte grey-green, which is a marked departure from his earlier white Defender.
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Baralacha La Challenge
The pass of Baralacha La junction with the Manali-Leh Highway is fully motorable, though in its peak height is a very difficult driving route. This tough route is a real test for man and machine – found in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh – where the strength of both man and his machine are tested on the circuit. The Octa’s sophisticated terrain-management systems and raised ride height will be useful elements over such tough ground.
The fact that Deol conquers the challenge course is evidence that the SUV has some real-world off-road capability beyond what manufacturers claim.
Extensive Automotive Collection
In addition to his Defender models, Deol has a pretty cool garage that includes:
- Range Rover Autobiography LWB
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
- Multiple Range Rover variants
His automotive taste seems to lean heavily in favour of all-out SUVs that could tackle Indian varied road conditions.