Shortly after the debut of the Freelander Concept 97, the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)-Chery joint venture brand Freelander unveiled its first production-ready model, now officially called the Freelander 8.
Before diving into the details, here’s a quick recap. Back in 2024, JLR and Chery formed a joint venture to revive the Freelander nameplate as a standalone brand. Carrying such a significant name from JLR comes with high expectations, and design has clearly been a key focus. Leading the effort is Phil Simmons, who played a key role in shaping the original Freelander and has also worked on the latest Range Rover.
While said to be production-ready, it retains much of the concept’s design language. Its smooth, boxy silhouette is described by the Freelander as a “castle-style body.” Up front, it features a “dual-peak” hood, a nod to the original 1997 Freelander, while the rear quarter section incorporates triangular windows, also referencing the softback version of the original model.
What differs most from the concept model lies in its front fascia. The large, imposing silver centre trim has been replaced with a more conventional design, featuring a closed-off grille with boxy cutouts, possibly housing various sensors.
Lower down, the Freelander 8 wears a skid plate with three plastic trim elements instead of four on the concept. It is flanked by additional black inserts finished in a triangular gradient texture. The headlights have also been revised, retaining Land Rover’s signature interlocking design but now adopting a more conventional LED setup.
Other highlights revealed during its unveiling include dual-chamber air suspension, as well as what the brand claims to be the world’s first intelligent all-terrain system (i-ATS). This system offers nine terrain modes, enabled by a virtual centre lock and a rear e-LSD (electronic limited-slip differential).
ALSO READ: Through the fire and flames: Chery puts battery through blazy test to prove its safety
Inside, much of what was previewed on the concept carries over. Dominating the cabin is a wide panoramic display that forms what the brand calls a “Surround View Gallery,” paired with a large central touchscreen — similar in execution to BMW’s Panoramic iDrive setup.
For now, Freelander has only shown the interface graphics, with official images of the system blurred — suggesting that the final production version may still be undergoing refinement. So take these images taken of the “production-ready” unit with a grain of salt.
Elsewhere, the seats closely mirror those seen on the concept, featuring clean, seamless surfaces reminiscent of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair. The Freelander 8 will be offered as a six-seater in a 2-2-2 configuration, with the second row benefiting from “zero-gravity” seats designed for enhanced comfort.
While full specifications have yet to be disclosed, Freelander has confirmed that they are working with Harman Kardon, hinting that it may feature a premium in-car audio system from the American audio company.
As for safety, the company claims the Freelander 8 has undergone all five major NCAP tests, including our ASEAN NCAP, achieving five-star ratings across the board. The SUV will also feature a Snapdragon 8295P chip (with “P” denoting Performance), enabling L2+ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as well as an “Advanced Valet Parking Driver” function, which Freelander says will be offered in selected markets.
ALSO READ: Range Rover Electric initial details revealed: twin-motor with 542 hp, 483 km of range
That’s where the details end… for now. Freelander has yet to reveal what powers the Freelander 8, describing it only as a new energy vehicle (NEV). This suggests a range of electrified powertrains could be offered, including range-extended electric vehicles (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and fully battery electric vehicles (BEV).
Looking ahead, Freelander plans to launch six new models within the next five years. The brand also aims to expand its reach to 90 countries, spanning both right-hand drive (RHD) and left-hand drive (LHD) regions, including the European Union. For a start, the Freelander 8 is set to debut in Dubai, with more markets expected to follow soon.
GALLERY
