The first characteristics of the Freelander 8 crossover from Chery and JLR have been revealed

The joint crossover between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover - Freelander 8 - received its first characteristics: almost 5.2 meters in length, a hybrid installation and advanced off-road technologies.

New flagship of the joint brand

The Chinese Ministry of Industry has revealed the first details about the Freelander 8 crossover, a model developed jointly by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. The new product will become the flagship of a separate Freelander brand, the name of which refers to one of the iconic Land Rover models of the past.

The appearance of the G8 symbolizes a new stage of cooperation between British and Chinese automakers, focused on the global market.

Large and heavy SUV

Freelander 8 belongs to the full-size segment and stands out for its impressive dimensions: length is 5185 mm, width is 2050 mm, height is 1898 mm, and the wheelbase reaches 3040 mm. The weight of the car is close to three tons, which is due to both its dimensions and the hybrid power plant.

The cabin has a three-row layout and is designed for six passengers, making the model aimed at family use and long trips. Additionally, the ability to tow a braked trailer weighing up to 2000 kg is stated, which emphasizes the practical nature of the car.

Hybrid installation and electric version

At the start of sales, Freelander 8 will be available with a hybrid powertrain. It is based on a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a power of 156 hp, which acts as a generator to recharge the battery. Judging by the characteristics, this unit is borrowed from the Chery line.

The traction battery is supplied by CATL, but its capacity and range have not yet been disclosed. In the future, the model will also receive a fully electric version, which corresponds to the global trend of electrification.

Technology and off-road potential

Freelander 8 combines premium technology and serious off-road capabilities. The equipment includes a two-chamber air suspension with a road surface scanning system, as well as a full set of locks: interaxle and two interwheel.

The off-road “autopilot”, capable of assisting the driver when driving on difficult surfaces, deserves special attention. The digital part is handled by Huawei's lidar and the high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 processor, which indicates advanced driver assistance systems and a high level of automation.

Design and variability

The manufacturer will offer several options for the external design of Freelander 8. The differences will affect not only decorative elements, but also the design of lighting equipment, which will allow for greater differentiation between the versions.

The crossover will receive wheels with a diameter of 21 or 22 inches, emphasizing the status of the model and its belonging to the premium segment.

Prospects for the Freelander line

Freelander 8 will be the first model of a new line, which in the future will expand to six cars of different classes. At the same time, the brand plans to expand beyond China, which makes the project part of the global strategy of Chery and Jaguar Land Rover.

The start of sales of the flagship crossover is scheduled for the second half of 2026. The new product should occupy a prominent place in the segment of large technological SUVs, where competition is rapidly increasing both from Chinese manufacturers and from traditional global brands.