Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 4 hrs ago
Freelander name returns on a Chinese-built SUV
The Freelander name has returned with the launch of the Freelander 8 in Wuhu, China.
The original Freelander was a British compact luxury SUV first made in 1997, and Land Rover replaced it with the Discovery Sport in 2015.
The new SUV is Chinese-built, while the story describes it as retaining British heritage and links its revival to Jaguar Land Rover and Chery.
The partnership reflects a change in the car industry: Jaguar Land Rover needs Chery’s electric-vehicle technology, while Chery gains association with a British brand.
The international left-hand-drive version has a 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine designed for hybrid driving and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with more than 460 kW of power.
It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, according to the details given at launch.
The sources do not say when or where the new model will be available to buyers.
The Freelander name has returned on the Chinese-built Freelander 8, launched in Wuhu, China.
The new SUV is the result of a partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and Chery.
The original Freelander was first manufactured in 1997 and was discontinued in 2015.
Chery Research and Development Centre chief engineer Antonio Maresca, who worked on the original model, said the revival was a full-circle moment.
The international left-hand-drive version has a 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine designed for hybrid driving and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
- Who
- Jaguar Land Rover and Chery are behind the revived Freelander. Antonio Maresca is its chief engineer.
- What
- The Freelander name has returned on the Chinese-built Freelander 8 SUV.
- When
- The Freelander 8 was launched this week, according to the article published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- The global launch took place in Wuhu, China.
- Why
- The partnership combines Jaguar Land Rover’s British heritage with Chery’s technology. The article says Jaguar Land Rover needs Chery’s rapid-development EV technology to remain competitive.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The original Freelander was first manufactured as a compact luxury SUV.
Land Rover discontinued the Freelander nameplate and replaced the model with the Discovery Sport.
The Freelander 8 was launched in Wuhu, China.
- Model
- Freelander 8
- Launch location
- Wuhu, China
- Original model first manufactured
- 1997
- Nameplate discontinued
- 2015
- International version engine
- 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine designed for hybrid driving
- International version power
- Over 460kW from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system
What people are saying
I spent decades working with Jaguar Land Rover, AMG and BMW, including the original Freelander. So this is a full-circle moment for me.
Having developed luxury SUVs in the past, I learned that real quality is not defined by prices or badges. It is defined by how a car performs after it has been pushed to its absolute limit and beyond.