The design and key features of the production-spec Land Rover Freelander 8 were revealed at Auto China 2026.
The Freelander 8's platform technology, electrified powertrain options, and planned global launch timeline.
After decades away, the Freelander nameplate is back and it means business. Chery Jaguar Land Rover has taken the wraps off the production-ready Freelander 8 at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, revealing a 5.1-metre electric and hybrid SUV underpinned by an advanced 800-volt platform.
Built in collaboration with Huawei and CATL, it is heading to China later this year, with a global rollout to follow.
Land Rover Freelander 8 debuts at Auto China 2026 as a 5.1m EV/hybrid SUV on an 800V platform with Huawei and CATL tech.
A Nameplate Revived After Nearly Three Decades
The Freelander name carries a great deal of history. First introduced in 1997, it was Land Rover's compact SUV that brought the brand to a wider audience across the globe.
Now, nearly three decades on, Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) is bringing it back in a form that would have seemed extraordinary at its original launch.
Earlier in April 2026, CJLR offered the world its first glimpse through the Concept 97, unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. The number was a deliberate nod to 1997, the birth year of the original Freelander. That concept has now reached its production form at Auto China 2026 in Beijing, and the result is a sizeable, technology-forward SUV that signals a bold new chapter for the nameplate.
Exterior Design That Stays True to the Concept
Boxy, Purposeful and Built to Stand Out
The production Freelander 8 has managed to retain the spirit of the Concept 97 without compromising on real-world usability. The upright front fascia remains, carrying over the distinctive lighting elements and the bumper-mounted square air vents that gave the concept such a striking road presence. The bonnet is sculpted, the shoulder line is strong, and the overall profile is unapologetically boxy, suggesting a vehicle that was designed with functionality front and centre.
At 5.1 metres in length, the Freelander 8 is a substantial SUV. Flared wheel arches, thick body cladding, dual-tone side skirts, roof rails, and angled D-pillars all feature along the side profile, while rectangular door mirrors complete the rugged appearance. The alloy wheel design closely mirrors what was shown on the concept car. One notable change from the concept is at the rear doors, where standard front-hinged units replace the suicide-door arrangement seen earlier.
Towards the rear, the Freelander 8 opts for a clean, uncluttered look. Sleek taillamps, a dual-tone bumper, a black roof-mounted spoiler, and a raked rear windscreen round off the design neatly. A LiDAR unit sits centrally on the roof, just above the windscreen, which speaks to the level of autonomous driving technology packed into this vehicle.
Interior and Technology Still to Be Fully Revealed
CJLR has not yet pulled back the curtain on the production interior of the Freelander 8. However, based on the concept that preceded it, expectations are high. The concept featured a full-width screen running along the base of the windshield, a large centrally mounted infotainment display, and zero-gravity front seats, all of which are expected to carry over in some form to the production model.
800-Volt Platform with Huawei and CATL Collaboration
iMax Architecture Underpins Multiple Powertrain Options
The Freelander 8 sits on Chery's iMax platform, an 800-volt architecture that has been developed with input from two major technology partners. Huawei contributes its ADAS and LiDAR systems, while CATL supplies the battery technology. This collaboration places the Freelander 8 firmly within the modern wave of Chinese-engineered electric vehicles that take a highly integrated approach to software and hardware.
The iMax platform is designed to accommodate fully electric (BEV), extended-range electric (ERE), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, giving CJLR the flexibility to tailor the car for different markets.
BEV variants will support DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, making long-distance travel a practical proposition. Further technical highlights include air suspension and a rear electronic limited-slip differential, both of which should enhance ride comfort and off-road capability.
China First, Then the World Across Left and Right-Hand Drive Markets
The Freelander 8 is planned to reach Chinese showrooms in the second half of 2026. From there, CJLR intends to roll it out to additional markets globally, covering both left-hand and right-hand drive territories. The United States, however, will not be among the initial markets.
Looking further ahead, CJLR has announced that the revived Freelander nameplate will eventually spawn six production models, all of which will be SUVs, over the course of the next five years. It is an ambitious plan that suggests the Freelander is being positioned as a full sub-brand rather than a single model comeback.
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