Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) has officially launched the Freelander 8, marking the historic return of the iconic nameplate in an ultra-luxurious, full-size electric format.
Originally retired in 2014 to make way for the Discovery Sport, the Freelander re-emerges as a distinct high-end electrified vehicle line. Available in three trim grades, the Freelander 8 debuts after months of pre-sales, testing and teasing with an aggressive limited-time promotional starting price of RMB 299,900 (discounted from its initial pre-sale bracket of RMB 339,900 to RMB 459,900), accompanied by up to RMB 176,000 in exclusive purchase incentives.
With prototypes recently spotted undergoing extreme hot-weather road testing across the United Arab Emirates, this domestic Chinese rollout sets the foundation for an upcoming international launch across the Middle East and overseas export markets.
Full-Size Architecture with Nimble Maneuverability
The Freelander 8 moves far beyond the compact footprint of its predecessor, establishing a commanding presence that stretches 736 mm longer than the original first-generation Freelander:
- Exterior Dimensions: Measures 5,118 mm in length, 2,050 mm in width, and 1,898 mm in height, riding on an expansive 3,040 mm wheelbase.
- Wheel & Tyre Setup: Rides on 21-inch or 22-inch alloy wheels fitted with performance-grade Pirelli P Zero Elect tyres engineered specifically for high-torque electrified vehicles.
- Towing & Ground Clearance: Offers a certified towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg and a ground clearance of 220 mm.
- Dual-Chamber Air Suspension & Rear-Wheel Steering: Equipped with an active dual-chamber air suspension system that automatically modulates ride height and stiffness. Despite its five-metre-plus length, an active rear-wheel steering system delivers an exceptionally tight turning radius of just 5.15 metres, making parking and urban U-turns effortless.
High-Output Dual-Motor EREV Powertrain: 610 kW and 813 Nm
Underpinned by a dedicated extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) architecture, the Freelander 8 balances electric driving dynamics with long-distance freedom:
- Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive: Front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors combine to generate a colossal 610 kW (818 hp) of power and 813 Nm of torque.
- Sports-Car Acceleration: Rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.
- Range-Extended Battery Pack: A thermal-efficient 1.5-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine functions solely as an onboard generator to recharge a 60.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
- Pure EV Driving Range: Delivers a pure electric range of up to 310 km under the CLTC cycle, allowing owners to handle daily metropolitan commutes purely on battery power without triggering the petrol engine.
Luxury Lounge Cabin: 46.3-Inch Display and First-Class Amenities
Inside, the Freelander 8 offers versatile 5-seater and 6-seater cabin layouts, with the 2+2+2 six-seat configuration serving as the luxury showpiece:
- Pillar-to-Pillar Displays: The dashboard features a monolithic 46.3-inch ultra-wide display screen tucked neatly beneath the windscreen base, functioning as an expansive digital instrument cluster and vehicle status monitor. This is complemented by a floating 15.6-inch central touchscreen with native support for Apple CarPlay and Huawei HiCar.
- First-Class Second Row: Individual captain’s chairs come equipped with an integrated 16-point pneumatic massage system, power footrests, and fold-out executive work tables.
- Ceiling-Mounted Entertainment: Rear passengers enjoy a downward-folding 17.3-inch high-definition ceiling display for multimedia streaming on long journeys.
- Integrated In-Cabin Refrigerator: A built-in 10-litre temperature-controlled fridge is seamlessly integrated into the rear centre console to keep drinks chilled during extended cross-country travel.
