Specifications for the Freelander 8 large SUV have been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch in 2027.
A joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) – which created the original Land Rover Freelander – and Chery, the new Freelander brand aims to take on established luxury SUVs like BMW, Audi and, interestingly, Land Rover itself.
The Freelander 8 is the marque’s first model, measuring more than five metres long, and offering the choice of five or six seats.
According to recent indications, the Freelander could be priced close to its European luxury competitors, at about $100,000.
MORE: Freelander brand targets BMW over Zeekr in Australia with Chery-owned luxury cars
Specifications confirmed at a Freelander 8 media preview in China show a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprised of a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors, and a 34.1kWh LFP battery.
It will be rated to yield 110km of electric-only driving range and 886km hybrid driving range, according to typically optimisitic CLTC tests.
The Freelander 8 is 5118mm long, 2050mm wide and 1926mm tall, sitting on a 3040mm wheelbase.
It means the Freelander 8 is longer and wider than a Land Rover Defender 110, even though the latter has a full-size rear mounted spare wheel.
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It is unclear whether Australian-delivered Freelanders will have a spare wheel of any size.
Combined, the Freelander 8’s powertrain will be rated for 460kW and 662Nm, but the towing capacity is expected to be limited to about two tonnes.
The Freelander 8 will ride on dual-chamber air springs, with independent suspension front and rear.
The ride height can raise by 70mm for improved ground clearance and a 900mm wading depth, and there are nine driving modes to choose from.
MORE: Chery says myriad sub-brands help customers, not confuse them
Freelander claims 4000Nm of maximum torque from the rear axle, which indicates a two-speed gearbox at the rear – similar to the ‘low range’ function that can be found on the Denza B5 and B8.
The Freelander 8 plug-in hybrid bound for international markets is different to the 1.5-litre range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) that is sold in China.
While the engine of the 1.5-litre Freelander 8 is smaller, there is a larger battery (60.3kWh) and greater outputs of 610kW/813Nm.
The joint venture is a division of labour between Jaguar Land Rover, which takes care of design out of the Freelander Design Hub in Shanghai, and Chery, which covers the powertrain, platform, and technology.
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