Freelander 8 has claimed a Guinness World Records title after reaching 6,002.33 metres in Tibet, setting what Chery and Jaguar Land Rover’s co-created brand says is the highest altitude achieved by a hybrid car.
The Aug 22 climb beat the previous 5,980.05-metre benchmark set by BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 in 2024 by 22.28 metres. Guinness’s public record page had not yet been updated when checked, although CarNewsChina reproduced a certificate for the Freelander attempt.
The 2.98-tonne unibody extended-range electric SUV covered about 1,480 metres of loose scree and shale while gaining roughly 200 metres in elevation, according to technical details reported by CarNewsChina. At around 6,000 metres, air pressure falls to about 47.2 kPa.
Freelander said the 1.5-litre turbocharged range extender retained 80% of its rated generating capacity during the ascent. Its all-wheel-drive system combines 360 kW and 250 kW electric motors for 610 kW, while a two-speed rear gearbox provides 1.5:1 torque multiplication in first gear and up to an equivalent 8,000 Nm at the wheels.
The SUV also uses a 60.33 kWh CATL battery and 800V architecture.
Freelander 8 went on sale in China on Sept 3 and drew more than 10,000 orders within 48 hours. An international version will next be shown in Abu Dhabi, with the UAE named as its first overseas market.
