Chery Jaguar Land Rover has initiated the international rollout of its revived Freelander marque, presenting the left-hand-drive Freelander 8 during a global launch event in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The move marks the return of a historic nameplate that Land Rover manufactured in the UK between 1997 and 2015, now recast as an electrified standalone sub-brand under the China-based joint venture.
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The international debut follows the vehicle’s initial commercial introduction in China in August.
Selected in July as the JV’s inaugural export territory, the UAE serves as the staging ground for a broader international expansion.
Initial deliveries will prioritize left-hand-drive regions before the company introduces right-hand-drive configurations and models tailored to EU regulatory specifications.
The export-specification Freelander 8 utilizes a dedicated hybrid powertrain pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged combustion engine with a 34.12 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack and dual electric motors for all-wheel-drive traction.
The configuration produces peak outputs of 460 kW and 662 N·m of torque, enabling an overall combined-cycle driving range of 886 km alongside an electric-only range of 110 km.
Chassis hardware includes dual-chamber air springs combined with continuously controlled damping (CCD), delivering a maximum ride height of 266 mm.
The vehicle’s intelligent all-terrain system (i-ATS) features nine operational settings – including seven dedicated terrain programs – allowing the SUV to negotiate 800 mm cross-axle articulations, climb 70% slopes, and ford water obstacles up to 900 mm deep.
Digital architecture within the cabin is driven by Qualcomm’s 5 nm SA8295P system-on-chip, engineered to support advanced infotainment interfaces and artificial-intelligence processing.
Level 2+ driver-assistance technology is fitted as standard equipment.
Freelander International CEO Lucia Mao said: “Freelander is a British legend. But we want to do more than just bring it back. Chinese technology opens up new possibilities. That is what ‘Beyond the Legend’ means. British soul. Chinese intelligence. A legend going further than ever.”
