Freelander has detailed the powertrain, range and cabin of the left-hand drive Freelander 8 presented at its Abu Dhabi launch
Freelander, the brand jointly resurrected by JLR and Chery, has released details of the left-hand drive Freelander 8 presented at its global brand launch in Abu Dhabi on 29 September. The figures apply to the Middle East model, with specifications varying by market and trim.
The Freelander 8 pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged hybrid engine with a 34.12kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive, producing up to 460kW and 662Nm. It reaches 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and offers a combined range of 886km, including 110km of electric-only driving, while DC fast charging from 20% to 80% takes 20 minutes or less.
The launch model is a three-row, six-seat version featuring a 46.3-inch Mini LED display spanning the dashboard, a 15.6-inch central screen and a Qualcomm SA8295P chip. Optional second-row seats include massage functions, and the third row offers 834mm of legroom with standard ventilation. Its all-terrain system offers nine driving modes and works with air suspension and continuously controlled damping, with up to 266mm of ground clearance.
L2+ driver assistance is standard, with more than 30 functions, while a valet parking system will be offered in selected markets. Registration of interest has opened in the UAE, where Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors will act as dealer partners.
International media, content creators and dealers will test drive the Freelander 8 on and off road at Chery’s International User Summit in Wuhu next week. JLR owns the Freelander brand and leads its design, while Chery supplies technology and its global supply chain.
Why this matters:
- JLR monetises a dormant nameplate. A Chery-built Freelander earns JLR returns from its heritage on Chery’s cost base, though launching it in the Gulf, a key Land Rover region, risks overlap with JLR’s own models.
- Partner and competitor at once. Chery is co-developing a JLR-owned brand while selling Defender-style models under its own iCAUR badge, which could complicate JLR’s efforts to protect its design identity.
- Gulf first, Europe later. Starting in the UAE lets the brand build volume in a tariff-free, SUV-heavy market, and its plug-in hybrid format would fall outside the EU’s BEV-only duties if it moves into Europe.
