Chery and Jaguar Land Rover launch Freelander 8 in China below pre-sales expectations

The Freelander 8 represents the first model from the revived brand and marks a collaborative effort between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover to capture China's competitive luxury extended-range electric vehicle segment. Offered in three trims—Pro, Max, and Max+—the SUV is available with five-seat or six-seat (2+2+2) layouts, with the six-seat configuration commanding a 10,000-yuan premium per trim level. The limited First Edition, restricted to 1,000 units, sold out ahead of the official launch on 3 September 2026.

Measurements place the vehicle at 5,118 millimetres in length, extending to 5,185 millimetres with certain exterior packages, 2,050 millimetres in width, 1,898 millimetres in height, and a 3,040-millimetre wheelbase. The powertrain combines a 115-kilowatt 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder range extender with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system comprising a 360-kilowatt front motor and 250-kilowatt dual-speed rear motor, producing a combined 610 kilowatts and 813 Newton-metres. Acceleration reaches 100 kilometres per hour in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 220 kilometres per hour.

The 60.3-kilowatt-hour ternary lithium battery from CATL pairs with an 800-volt 6C high-voltage platform, permitting 20-to-80-percent charging in approximately 12 minutes. Suspension architecture incorporates front double-wishbone and rear H-arm multi-link independent systems alongside sealed dual-chamber air suspension and continuously variable CCD dampers. Rear-wheel steering capability reaches ±10 degrees, reducing turning radius to 5.15 metres.

All Freelander 8 variants feature Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver-assistance system, with hardware and capability levels varying by trim. Pro and Max versions include ADS 5 Enhanced with shared-optical-path in-cabin LiDAR, while Max+ carries ADS 5 Ultra with 896-channel dual-optical-path imaging-grade LiDAR and solid-state LiDAR. Every model houses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8397 automotive processor, a 46.3-inch 8K panoramic display, and a 15.6-inch centre screen. Max and Max+ add a 17.3-inch rear ceiling display as standard.

Freelander transitioned from a Jaguar Land Rover product line to an independent brand dedicated to new-energy vehicles on 31 March 2026, with plans to launch six models within five years. Global expansion is envisioned, with a left-hand-drive Middle Eastern variant anticipated between late 2026 and early 2027.