Freelander 8 Revealed as New All-Terrain Electric SUV Under Chery–Jaguar Land Rover Joint Venture
The Freelander 8 has been officially revealed as the first production model from the newly revived Freelander brand, now operating as a joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. The luxury and technology-focused all-terrain SUV is expected to make its market debut in China in the second half of the year.
The Freelander 8 has now transitioned from a legacy model line into a standalone electric vehicle brand. Initial images released by the company highlight a boxy, upright silhouette that closely follows the design language previewed by the earlier Concept 97, emphasizing a rugged yet premium visual identity.
Among the most recognizable is the return of the triangular side window, a feature carried over from earlier Freelander models and now repurposed as a defining brand motif.
The exterior also introduces newly styled interlocking headlights with square lighting modules and sharp horizontal elements, while a dual-peak hood and geometric taillight design reinforce the vehicle’s structured, muscular appearance.
Inside, the cabin retains a high, commanding driving position, while rear passengers benefit from so-called zero-gravity seating aimed at reducing fatigue on longer journeys.
A large Mini LED display—claimed to be the biggest in its segment—serves as the central interface, integrating vehicle data, navigation, weather updates, and road information into a single system.
Underpinning the Freelander 8 is the new iMax platform, developed to accommodate multiple powertrain configurations, including fully electric, range-extended, and plug-in hybrid setups. The battery system, co-developed with CATL, supports high-performance charging with a peak multiplier of 6C and a maximum charging capacity of 350 kW.
In terms of tech, Huawei has provided core support for the vehicle’s intelligent driving systems, with the Freelander 8 set to feature the Qiankun ADS 5.0 platform across the lineup.
The SUV will also be among the first production vehicles to integrate Huawei’s 896-channel LiDAR system, aimed at enhancing advanced driver assistance and autonomous capabilities.
Processing power is handled by a next-generation automotive chip from Qualcomm, which is said to deliver a threefold increase in computing performance compared to previous systems.
Development of the Freelander 8 reflects a collaborative effort between the two parent companies, with the Chinese team leading product definition and smart technology integration, while Jaguar Land Rover focused on design and maintaining the brand’s premium character.
The broader strategy for the revived Freelander brand includes the launch of six new electric models over the next five years, targeting both the Chinese market and international expansion.
