The Chery-JLR Freelander 8 has appeared in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing list, moving the reborn nameplate closer to a market launch expected in the second half of 2026.
This is not the compact Freelander many older Land Rover followers would remember.
The new model is a large extended-range SUV, measuring 5,118mm long, or 5,185mm depending on version, with a width of 2,050mm, height of 1,898mm and a 3,040mm wheelbase. The filing also lists a 2,980kg kerb weight.
The numbers make one thing clear: Freelander has returned in a very different form. It is no longer a small soft-roader nameplate, but a big electrified SUV under the Chery and Jaguar Land Rover joint venture.
The filing images show a boxy body, a closed-off front end, upright surfacing, roof rails and LiDAR hardware.
It’s believed that the new model would seat six people. It uses a 1.5-litre Chery engine as a range extender, with the engine rated at 105 kW (143 PS). Declared fuel consumption is listed at 0.76 litres per 100km.
The Freelander 8 is built on the brand’s new iMax platform, which supports battery-electric, range-extender and plug-in hybrid powertrains. For China, the first version would be an extended-range model rather than a pure EV.
The SUV uses CATL-supplied ternary lithium batteries, with earlier official information pointing to a battery developed for all-terrain use and a 6C peak charging rate.
The charging system supports up to 350 kW (476 PS), according to earlier reports on the model’s technical package.
ITHome reported earlier that the Freelander 8 would standardise Huawei’s latest Qiankun ADS system for China-market launch models, while also using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip. The chip is meant to support the vehicle’s smart cabin, driver-assistance functions and all-terrain computing needs.
It looks like the Chinese side leads much of the product definition, new-energy technology, intelligent systems and supply-chain work, while Jaguar Land Rover brings design direction, brand character and global resources.
