It looks like the first SUV from the revived Freelander nameplate, a joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery, has made a premature appearance. Ahead of its slated global debut on 31 March 2026, photos of a crash test unit have surfaced online, offering a first look at the new model.
The leaked images from MyDrivers revealed a partially camouflaged yet unnamed SUV that resembles a Land Rover Defender with its boxy proportions. The squarish headlights are a sort of throwback to the original Land Rover Freelander, though the upcoming SUV in the photos was a bit smashed-up after undergoing crash testing.
At the rear, the tailgate features an upright design with the “FREELANDER” name embossed across the centre. The interior marks a significant departure from previous JLR designs, featuring a pillar-to-pillar display spanning the dashboard and a large, floating central infotainment screen.
To support this high-tech shift, Freelander has established a technology ecosystem through partnerships with Huawei for autonomous driving features, Qualcomm for Snapdragon chipsets, and CATL for the high-voltage battery.
According to CarNewsChina, the first SUV from Freelander will be available with both range-extended electric (REEV) and fully-electric (BEV) powertrains. All variants, regardless of the powertrain, are expected to feature an all-wheel drive (AWD) setup equipped with Land Rover’s signature drive modes.
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While official powertrain specifications are not yet available, the all-new Freelander is built on Chery’s T1X platform. This architecture is currently utilised by several Chery models and it’s subsidiaries, including the Jaecoo J7. Full specifications are expected to be confirmed at the global unveiling tomorrow, 31 March 2026.
The new Freelander is part of a strategic rebirth for the nameplate. Licensed from JLR, Freelander is being established as a standalone brand within a new “value creation system.” It will operate independently from Chery’s existing portfolio and JLR’s modern luxury “House of Brands”, consisting of Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar. The brand will focus on the Chinese domestic market initially, with plans to export the vehicles globally.
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