2026 Freelander 8: Production-ready SUV from Chery JLR is bigger and heavier than a Range Rover
The revived Freelander 8 is now in production-ready form ahead of its Chinese launch later this year, revealing an even larger and heavier car than the old Land Rover Freelander.
The key specifications for the first model of the new Freelander brand, a joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, have been confirmed by fresh images and Chinese government filings that will be part of ‘the SUV to spearhead – in particular — an international expansion push which will include Australia.
First seen at this year’s Beijing motor show, the first Freelander model is far removed from the original sold by Land Rover in the late 1990s and 2000s. The new Freelander 8 measures up to 5185mm long, 2050mm wide, and 1898mm tall, riding on a 3040mm wheelbase.
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That makes it significantly larger than both previous Freelander generations and closer in size to a full-size Range Rover. The regular-length Range Rover measures 5052mm long and 2047mm wide on a 2997mm wheelbase, with long-wheelbase variants measuring 5252mm long on a 3197mm wheelbase.
A new plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric SUV also tips the scales at 2980kg, weighing 3495kg gross vehicle weight.
The original Land Rover Freelander weighed about 1600kg and 4422mm-4448mm long by comparison, while the most expensive Range Rover in 2026 has a kerb weight of 2710kg.
The new Freelander 8 is based on Chery’s iMax platform and will come with electric, plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric powertrains.
The range-extender version uses a turbocharged 1 in Chinese regulatory documents, which reveal the model’s use of an aggressive type of . A 5-litre petrol engine with 105kW, which is pure generator for the electric drivetrain, produces a total of 115kW.
Using an 800V electrical architecture, the Freelander 8 can charge DC fast-charging at as high as 350kW with CATL ternary lithium batteries.
Technology highlights include twin-chamber air suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, roof-mounted LiDAR, and Huawei’s Qiankun ADS intelligent driving system.
Overseas reports that the SUV can automatically adjust its terrain modes by scanning the road surface ahead with its sensor suite, according to overseas reports.
A pillar-to-pillar display, a secondary central touchscreen, physical control controls and six-seat 2-2-2 cabin layout are all featured inside the Freelander 8.
While it is a significantly larger and more advanced car, the new SUV’s styling draws heavily from the original Freelander (mostly through its diagonal C-pillar treatment) The design of the brand has been designed to be an impressive example of what was originally intended for this model.
Design work has reportedly been led by Phil Simmons, a former Jaguar Land Rover designer who previously worked on the original Freelander, as well as the newer Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Defender.
While the Freelander 8 will launch in China first through dedicated Freelander dealerships, right-hand-drive production has already been confirmed.
The brand has confirmed three international variants from launch left-hand drive, right-handed drive and a dedicated European specification. The All three will be constructed on one global architecture, which Freelander says has been engineered to meet every major regulatory standard from day one.
It’s believed Australia will be part of the vehicle’s global testing program ahead of a potential 2027 launch. This is the brand’s first international launch market, which has been confirmed as The Middle East by parodyr.
Chery already operates locally in Australia with its brands of CherY and Omoda Jaecoo, although it is unclear whether Freelander would join that dealer network or set up a standalone presence. The Chinese automaker will also launch Lepas and iCaur brands over the next 12 months, Jetour is also planning an Australian launch for the brand’s own company.
The Freelander 8 is first of six new models planned over the next five years from the new brand.
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Freelander 8 revealed: Chery-JLR brand confirms global SUV launch with Australian testing
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