Here’s an enormous surprise – barely three weeks after debuting the Concept 97, Freelander has revealed the production-intent model, simply called the Freelander 8, on the sidelines of the continued Auto China show on the Chery International Business Summit in Wuhu. As previously reported, this can be a far cry from the unique baby Land Rover, being a large three-row SUV as a substitute.
Confused? Let’s offer you a little bit of a primer. The previous Land Rover nameplate ended up within the hands of Chery after it signed a take care of its partner in 2024 to develop it right into a separate brand. This became way more significant to Jaguar Land Rover than previously thought, because it became known that the nascent marque would replace the production of all JLR models because the Changsha plant.
Anyway, the Freelander 8 continues to be designed by the British firm, led by design hub director Phil Simmons – a designer at Land Rover back when the unique Freelander was being developed (he also penned the stunning L322 Range Rover, natch). This explains why the automobile still looks prefer it got here from Solihull, with greater than a passing resemblance to a different modern classic, the rectilinear Discovery 3.
The production model is a comparatively faithful recreation of the Concept 97, albeit with some obvious fanciful show automobile touches ditched. Most notable of those is the dearth of a striking two-tone color scheme and the vertical displays that make up the head- and taillights.
Much of the remaining has been retained, including Land Rover’s signature interlocking headlights, the big Freelander script front and rear, distinguished skid plates, a gloss black finish for the body cladding and round wheel arches, slim rectangular taillights and even the criss-cross alloy wheels – here measuring a still massive 22 inches in diameter.
Perhaps probably the most distinctive design cue stays the triangular rear three-quarter windows, lifted from the first-generation Freelander three-door cabriolet. So proud is the firm of the design that it has even made it the brand, representing the letters F and L. Unfortunately, the Concept 97’s removable rear cover has been jettisoned, as have the suicide doors – you get normal doors and mechanical pull-up door handles as a substitute.
Inside, the Freelander 8 features the Concept 97’s widescreen display that spans from A-pillar to A-pillar. This apes the Panoramic Vision display present in the brand new BMW iX3 and i3, albeit without the expensive projection technology. Below this sits a big infotainment touchscreen, a row of physical air-con controls and a pair of rotary knobs.
The second row may be specced with twin captain’s chairs with built-in ottomans, heated, ventilated and massaging functions and one-touch “zero gravity” recline. The third row, alternatively, features conventional twin seats slightly than the concept’s lounge-like wraparound pews.
No technical details have been revealed just yet, but on condition that Freelander has been arrange as a brand new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, expect it to be offered in electric and plug-in hybrid variants (the prototype you see here has dual ports for fuel and charging. The corporate also says the automobile will offer the primary Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS) with nine off-road modes, together with a “virtual” locking centre differential, an electronic locking rear differential and dual-chamber air suspension.
The Freelander 8 is the primary of six latest models planned to be launched over the subsequent five years. The Chery JLR plant in Changsha it’s going to be in-built has received US$1.5 billion (RM5.9 billion) in investment, with US$440 million (RM1.7 billion) spent on upgrades alone to show it into an “intelligent” manufacturing base.
The brand will begin its global presence within the Middle East and expects to eventually be sold in 90 countries worldwide. While Malaysian sales have yet to be confirmed, the corporate has already said it’s going to conduct testing of prototypes in Southeast Asia amongst other places, and it expects to receive a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. Would you purchase a Freelander 8 if it reaches our shores? Tell us within the comments.
GALLERY: Freelander Concept 97 at Auto China 2026
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This Article First Appeared At paultan.org
