Freelander 8: first technical specifications revealed in regulatory filings

The first model under the revived Freelander brand by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, was revealed in filings from the China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The model is expected to be launched in China in the second half of this year 

The reborn Freelander brand has filed for its first model in China, marking a crucial step in the electrification transition of the joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. 

The new model, officially named the Freelander 8, is an extended-range “luxury tech all-terrain SUV” (sport utility vehicle) that entered a declaration catalog of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Saturday. 

The vehicle, which made its debut at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, measures 5,118 mm (5,185 mm as an option) in length, 2,050 mm in width, and 1,898 mm in height, with a wheelbase reaching 3,040 mm, according to its filing information. 

The design of the Freelander 8 closely follows the style of the previously unveiled Concept 97 concept car, retaining the classic “boxy” shape of the Freelander while incorporating many new era new energy details. 

The Chinese team led the new vehicle's product definition and smart-technology development, while the Jaguar Land Rover team focused primarily on design aesthetics and preserving the brand's luxury heritage. 

Freelander operates under a “Joint Venture 2.0” model: Land Rover handles design, chassis tuning, all-terrain technology and premium brand positioning; Chery provides the E0X pure electric platform and takes charge of R&D and manufacturing.  

The front face adopts a closed design, with headlamp clusters arranged in rectangular block shapes, giving a strong hardcore visual identity. The side profile features straight, clean lines, and the combination of semi-hidden door handles and flared wide wheel arches strongly highlights its off-road character. 

The rear adopts nearly vertical cut lines, creating a trapezoidal stance that narrows at the top and widens at the bottom. Paired with vertical taillight clusters, it offers strong recognition. Additionally, the roof rails add practicality for outdoor travel. 

The all-terrain SUV, which adopts a classic boxy design, has a curb weight of 2,980 kg and a gross weight of 3,495 kg – just five kilograms shy of 3.5 tons. This is intended to be a global model, so in Europe, you won’t need a truck license to drive it. 

It is a six-seater model equipped with a 1.5-liter engine produced by Chery as a range extender. In the Chinese market, the Freelander 8 will come standard with an 800V high-voltage EREV platform. The engine has a maximum net power of 105 kW and a declared fuel consumption of 0.76 L/100 km. 

The filing showed that the model will use ternary lithium batteries provided by CATL. According to previous official information, the peak charging rate of this all-terrain dedicated battery reaches 6C and the peak charging power is 350kW. 

The new car will come standard with Huawei's Qiankun ADS smart driving system across all trims, and will be equipped with an 896-channel LiDAR to enhance autonomous driving capabilities. Consumers can opt for a roof-integrated LiDAR. 

The model is developed based on the new iMax platform architecture and will also be one of the first mass-produced models globally to be equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon's latest generation 8397 automotive-grade chip. The model is expected to be launched in China in the second half of this year. 

Freelander was originally a classic model line under Jaguar Land Rover.  It was officially upgraded to an independent brand dedicated to new energy by its joint venture with Chery on March 31 this year. 

Freelander's history dates back to 1997. It topped the European SUV best-seller list for five consecutive years, and the Land Rover model was once a vehicle of choice for the British royal family. 

The brand plans to intensively release six new EV models to the Chinese and global markets over the next five years. The first model is expected to make its debut in the Chinese market in the second half of this year. 

The brand has already signed contracts for over 60 stores across 50 cities in China, and plans to reach a target of 100 stores nationwide by 2026. 

The partnership announced the Freelander revival in June 2024, licensing the dormant Land Rover nameplate to the joint venture to anchor a new line of electrified SUVs — distinct in identity, pricing, and distribution from JLR's "House of Brands" framework that covers Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar. 

To succeed, Freelander must avoid being a “rebadged Chery”. It must deliver true Land Rover driving and off road character, plus top tier Chinese EV and smart tech, at a price acceptable to Chinese consumers.