Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have unveiled the Freelander 8, a plug-in hybrid SUV producing up to 460 kW, as the companies prepare to relaunch Freelander as a standalone brand for international markets.
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The SUV made its international debut in Abu Dhabi on 29 September, with further details and a five-seat version revealed at the 2026 Chery International User Summit in Wuhu, China, on 19 October. A six-seat version is also planned.
The first market launch is scheduled for the United Arab Emirates in the first quarter of 2027. Right-hand-drive markets, including Australia and New Zealand, are expected to follow in the second phase. South African availability has not been confirmed.
The Freelander brand is being jointly developed by Chery and JLR, combining JLR-led design with Chery’s vehicle technology and supply network.
Hybrid powertrain and off-road capability
The Middle East-specification Freelander 8 combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 34.12kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive. The powertrain produces a claimed 460kW and 662Nm, with a stated 0–100km/h acceleration time of 5.8 seconds.
Chery quotes an electric driving range of 110km and a total range of 886km on the combined cycle. These figures apply to the Middle East model and may vary by market and specification.
The battery supports 11kW AC charging, while DC fast charging can take it from 20% to 80% in 20 minutes or less.
The SUV also features dual-chamber air suspension and continuously controlled damping. Ground clearance can reach 266mm, while electronic systems manage torque distribution to help maintain traction on challenging surfaces.
Its Intelligent All-Terrain System offers nine driving modes, including seven terrain-specific programmes, Smart and Expert modes. Under the stated test conditions, the vehicle can tackle gradients of up to 70% and water crossings up to 900 mm deep.
Digital technology and driver assistance
Inside, the Freelander 8 features a 46.3-inch Mini LED far-side screen powered by a Qualcomm SA8295P automotive processor.
The company says L2+ driver-assistance technology and more than 30 driver-assistance functions will be standard.
An AI voice assistant powered by a large language model is also planned, alongside automated valet parking in selected markets.
According to the company, the development programme involved more than 1,000 test vehicles, including over 200 dedicated to all-terrain durability testing across 2.15 million kilometres.
International rollout
The launch programme will begin in the Middle East before expanding to other left-hand-drive markets. Australia and New Zealand are priorities for the second phase, with continental Europe, the UK and Ireland scheduled for a later stage.
Although South Africa has not been confirmed as a destination, the planned expansion into right-hand-drive markets could be relevant to the local market if the brand eventually extends its rollout here.
Pricing, final market-specific specifications and the timing of individual market launches have not yet been announced.
