Chery has taken the wraps off the Freelander 8, a plug-in hybrid SUV built with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), marking the first international showing of a vehicle that also launches Freelander as a standalone brand between the two companies.
The Middle East is named as the starting market for the brand's global roll-out. Design work was led by JLR, while Chery contributed vehicle technology and access to its global supply network.
The event saw the first public appearance of the international five-seat version, which joins the six-seat model and gives buyers a choice of two or three-row layouts.
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The powertrain and chassis were developed for daily driving, longer trips and tougher terrain. In Middle East specification, the SUV pairs a 2,0-litre turbo-charged engine with a 34,12 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive. Peak output is 460 kW and 662 Nm, with 0–100 km/h taking 5,8 seconds.
Electric-only range is quoted at 110 km, while total range with a full tank and a charged battery is 886 km. Both figures are on the combined cycle and real-world range will vary with conditions and use. The battery accepts 11 kW AC charging, and DC fast charging allows a 20–80% charge in 20 minutes or less.
Dual-chamber air suspension and continuously controlled damping let the chassis respond to changing surfaces, balancing comfort with the clearance needed over uneven ground. Ground clearance reaches 266 mm, and a virtual centre differential lock and electronic limited-slip differential manage torque distribution to help maintain traction when grip is low.
The Intelligent All-Terrain System coordinates powertrain and chassis controls through nine modes, made up of seven terrain programmes including Sand Mode, plus Smart and Expert modes. Under the relevant test conditions, the Freelander 8 can climb a 70% gradient, roughly 35 degrees, and wade through water up to 900 mm deep, within its operating limits and suitable conditions.
Inside, a Qualcomm SA8295P automotive-grade processor runs the cabin's digital systems, which include a 46.3-inch Mini LED far-side screen. L2+ driver assistance is standard, and Freelander has announced an AI Voice Assistant built on a large language model and developed for the brand to allow more natural interaction with the vehicle.
More than 30 driver-assistance functions are fitted as standard, and automated valet parking will be offered in selected markets, subject to the system's operating conditions and the driver's responsibilities.
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The development programme used more than 1 000 test vehicles, with over 200 of them dedicated to all-terrain durability testing across 2,15-million kilometres.
The brand's international launch will run in three stages. The first starts in the UAE, where the Freelander 8 is expected to go on sale in the first quarter of 2027, before moving across the Middle East and other left-hand drive markets.
Right-hand drive markets follow in the second phase, with Australia and New Zealand named as priorities. The third phase takes the brand into continental Europe, then the United Kingdom and Ireland. Availability in South Africa has not been confirmed.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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