Freelander 8 Debuts As Chery Jaguar Land Rover Luxury NEV SUV

Freelander 8 Production Begins At Changshu Plant

The Freelander 8 has officially entered production as the first vehicle from the revived Freelander brand created through the joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. The extended-range all-terrain SUV rolled off the production line at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, Jiangsu province, and is scheduled to begin pre-sales on August 10. The model represents a major transition toward luxury new energy vehicles and introduces advanced technologies including Huawei quad-LiDAR hardware and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade computing.

Wen Fei, the brand's global CEO, described the Freelander 8 as the first product developed under the 3.0 model of Sino-foreign joint ventures. Future Freelander models will also be manufactured at the same facility. After the final gasoline-powered Range Rover Evoque production ended at the plant in March, the Freelander 8 takes over the production mission and supports the next phase of premium electrified vehicle development by the joint venture.

Advanced Manufacturing And Electric Vehicle Platform

To support the transformation, the joint venture invested an additional 3 billion yuan ($442 million) in the Changshu plant, primarily to upgrade production systems. The renovated facility now includes more than 1,100 robots and machining precision of 0.01 millimeters. The manufacturing upgrade reflects the increasing importance of automation and high-precision production for premium electric vehicles. The plant will serve as the global manufacturing base for future Freelander models targeting multiple international markets.

Positioned as a luxury technology-focused all-terrain SUV, the Freelander 8 follows the design language of the Concept 97 with a boxy silhouette, closed front-end design and split rectangular headlights. The vehicle measures 5,118 millimeters long, 2,050 millimeters wide and 1,898 millimeters tall, with an optional length of 5,185 millimeters. It features a 3,040-millimeter wheelbase and a six-seat 2+2+2 interior configuration designed for premium passenger comfort.

Smart Driving Technology And Performance Features

The Freelander 8 is among the first vehicles globally to feature Huawei's quad-LiDAR setup and Qualcomm's latest-generation Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip. Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 intelligent driving system and an 800-volt electrical platform are standard across the lineup. The cabin includes a 46.3-inch 8K display and a 15.6-inch Mini LED central touchscreen. Second-row passengers receive dual zero-gravity aviation seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.

The SUV uses a 1.5T range extender producing a maximum output of 115 kilowatts, combined with a 60.331-kWh ternary lithium battery supplied by CATL. This configuration enables 221 kilometers of pure electric driving range. The vehicle also incorporates an i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system co-developed with Huawei, a front mechanical differential lock, rear e-LSD limited-slip differential, virtual center lock and closed dual-chamber air suspension for enhanced off-road capability.

Freelander Brand Expansion Strategy

Freelander was originally a model line under Jaguar Land Rover before becoming an independent new energy vehicle brand on March 31. The brand plans to introduce six models over the next five years, with each vehicle following a "1+3" development strategy. This approach allows a China-based version to generate left-hand-drive, European Union and right-hand-drive variants simultaneously, expanding coverage across more than 180 major automotive markets worldwide.

The first international version of the Freelander 8 will be a left-hand-drive Middle East variant expected to launch between the end of this year and early next year. The vehicle highlights the growing collaboration between Chinese automotive technology companies and global luxury vehicle manufacturers. With advanced driver assistance, extended-range electrification and intelligent manufacturing capabilities, the Freelander 8 represents a new direction for premium mobility solutions in China and global markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Freelander 8 different from other luxury SUVs?
The Freelander 8 combines extended-range electric technology, advanced intelligent driving systems, premium comfort features and off-road capability in one luxury SUV package. It uses Huawei quad-LiDAR, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 processing, an 800-volt platform and advanced suspension systems. The model also introduces a new development direction for the revived Freelander brand under the Chery Jaguar Land Rover partnership, targeting global new energy vehicle markets with multiple future models.