Freelander 8 – Chery-JLR production electrified three-row SUV debuts, exports to ASEAN possible?

Here’s a big surprise – barely three weeks after debuting the Concept 97, Freelander has revealed the production-intent model, simply called the Freelander 8, at the sidelines of the ongoing Auto China show at the Chery International Business Summit in Wuhu. As previously reported, this is a far cry from the original baby Land Rover, being a massive three-row SUV instead.

Confused? Let’s give you a bit of a primer. The former Land Rover nameplate ended up in the hands of Chery after it signed a deal with its partner in 2024 to develop it into a separate brand. This became far more significant to Jaguar Land Rover than previously thought, as it became known that the nascent marque would replace the production of all JLR models as 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 original Freelander was being developed (he also penned the stunning L322 Range Rover, natch). This explains why the car still looks like it came from Solihull, with more than a passing resemblance to another modern classic, the rectilinear Discovery 3.

The production model is a relatively faithful recreation of the Concept 97, albeit with some obvious fanciful show car touches ditched. Most notable of these is the lack of a striking two-tone colour scheme and the vertical displays that make up the head- and taillights.

Much of the rest has been retained, including Land Rover’s signature interlocking headlights, the large Freelander script front and rear, prominent 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 the most distinctive design cue remains 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 logo, representing the letters F and L. Unfortunately, the Concept 97’s removable rear canopy has been jettisoned, as have the suicide doors – you get normal doors and mechanical pull-up door handles instead.

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 found in the new BMW iX3 and i3, albeit without the expensive projection technology. Below this sits a large infotainment touchscreen, a row of physical air-con controls and a pair of rotary knobs.

The second row can 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, on the other hand, features conventional twin seats rather than the concept’s lounge-like wraparound pews.

No technical details have been revealed just yet, but given that Freelander has been set up as a 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 company also says the car will offer the first Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS) with nine off-road modes, along with a “virtual” locking centre differential, an electronic locking rear differential and dual-chamber air suspension.

The Freelander 8 is the first of six new models planned to be launched over the next five years. The Chery JLR plant in Changsha it will be built in has received US$1.5 billion (RM5.9 billion) in investment, with US$440 million (RM1.7 billion) spent on upgrades alone to turn it into an “intelligent” manufacturing base.

The brand will begin its global presence in the Middle East and expects to eventually be sold in 90 countries worldwide. While Malaysian sales have yet to be confirmed, the company has already said it will conduct testing of prototypes in Southeast Asia among other places, and it expects to receive a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating. Would you buy a Freelander 8 if it reaches our shores? Let us know in the comments.

GALLERY: Freelander Concept 97 at Auto China 2026

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