Chery-Land Rover partnership debuts Freelander 8 in China

The Freelander name is back, but not in the way many will remember it. 

At a global reveal in China, the first model from the revived brand – the Freelander 8 – has appeared in production-intent form, signalling a new direction for the once familiar badge as it moves into the premium, tech-focused SUV space.

Rather than a nostalgic reboot, this is a clean-sheet repositioning. The Freelander brand is now a joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, built through the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu. The partnership combines Chery’s advanced automotive technology with Jaguar Land Rover’s design expertise, forming the basis for the new-generation SUV line.

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Visually, the design retains links to the original Freelander through its overall silhouette and signature rear-quarter window, but updates the execution with a more technical lighting signature and a stronger, more upright stance. A “castle body” design theme defines the exterior, pairing a solid lower body with a lighter, more refined upper cabin.

Inside, the focus is on digital integration and cabin openness. A large-format Mini LED display dominates the dashboard, bringing vehicle information, navigation and driving data into a single unified interface. The layout is said to emphasise space and visibility while reducing traditional visual clutter.

The Freelander 8 also introduces the Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS), designed to automatically adjust vehicle settings based on changing surface conditions. It offers nine terrain modes and operates alongside hardware including an electronic limited-slip differential, air suspension and a virtual centre locking function.

Together, these systems position the vehicle as a flexible SUV suited to mixed driving environments, from city use through to regional travel and light off-road conditions.

The Freelander nameplate first appeared in 1997 under Land Rover as an entry-level SUV aimed at combining everyday usability with light off-road capability. It ran through two generations before being phased out in 2014, when it was replaced by the Discovery Sport. The original model played a key role in broadening Land Rover’s appeal during the early growth of the modern SUV segment.

The Freelander 8 marks the first step in the brand’s relaunch strategy, with further details – including Australian timing – still to be confirmed closer to production.