Key highlights:
- Freelander 8 targets Australia in 2027; local details remain unconfirmed
- International PHEV claims 460kW, 662Nm and up to 900mm wading depth
- Rollout is in phases: UAE in early 2027 and Australia and NZ later months
The new Freelander 8 is shaping up as a serious off-road-focused plug-in hybrid SUV, combining a claimed 460kW, five- and six-seat layouts, and a maximum 900mm wading depth. The company detailed the SUV in a recent presentation in Wuhu, China.
Developed through the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, it marks the return of the Freelander name as a standalone brand. Australia and New Zealand rank among its priority right-hand-drive markets, with an Australian launch planned for 2027.
Local pricing, warranty, servicing, final specifications and the exact arrival date remain unconfirmed.
Freelander 8: Australian launch plans
The company, at a Chinese event, confirmed that Australia and New Zealand rank among its priority markets for the right-hand-drive rollout. Freelander International CEO Lucia Mao outlined a phased launch plan:
- First phase: United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern and international left-hand-drive markets in early 2027
- Next phase: Right-hand-drive markets, with Australia and New Zealand prioritised for a 2027 launch
- Later phase: Continental Europe, followed by the United Kingdom and Ireland
The Australian rollout presentation did not specify a launch quarter, but Freelander has previously confirmed plans to launch locally in 2027. Australian pricing, servicing, warranty coverage, final specifications and the precise arrival date remain unannounced.
Powertrain: 460kW plug-in hybrid
The international left-hand-drive Freelander 8 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine developed for hybrid applications, paired with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
Chery R&D Centre chief engineer Antonio Maresca presented the following figures for the international model, but these specifications do not confirm the final Australian powertrain.
| Specification | International LHD Freelander 8 PHEV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol |
| Drivetrain | Dual-motor AWD |
| System output | 460kW / 662Nm |
| 0–100km/h | 5.8 seconds |
| Engine compression ratio | 14:1 |
| Claimed engine thermal efficiency | 45.95% |
The Middle East-market model uses a 34.12kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Freelander quotes an electric-only range of at least 110km and a combined petrol-electric range of at least 886km, both measured on the WLTC test cycle.
| Specification | Middle East-market model |
|---|---|
| Battery | 34.12kWh LFP |
| Claimed electric-only range | At least 110km WLTC |
| Claimed combined range | At least 886km WLTC |
| DC charging time | 20-80% in 20 minutes or less |
| Peak DC charging rate | Not disclosed |
Battery, range and charging figures may vary by market and trim.
These figures also differ from those previously reported for the Chinese-market extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version.
The Freelander 8 uses dual-chamber air suspension and continuously controlled damping. Its suspension can raise the body by 70mm or lower it by 50mm, and its maximum ground clearance reaches 266mm. The front brakes use six-piston fixed callipers and 404mm ventilated discs.
Freelander’s terrain management system offers nine modes: seven terrain programs, a smart mode and an expert mode. The drivetrain also features a virtual centre differential lock and an electronic limited-slip differential.
The company also says a radar-based water-depth measurement system displays the water depth and level relative to the vehicle on the central touchscreen. The SUV is said to have a maximum wading depth of 900mm and a slope-climbing angle of 35 degrees.
These details are for the international model; Australian specifications remain unconfirmed.
Also read: GWM Haval H7 SUV attracts record pre-launch interest in Australia
Dimensions: Larger than a Defender 110 in length and width
The international Freelander 8 measures more than five metres long and two metres wide. Compared with a Land Rover Defender 110, the Freelander 8 is 83mm longer, 54mm wider, 44mm lower, and built on an 18mm longer wheelbase.
| Length | 5,118mm |
| Width | 2,050mm |
| Height | 1,926mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,040mm |
Freelander displayed both five- and six-seat versions at the presentation, and Mao described the event as the first public showing of the five-seat layout.
Exterior design: References to the original Freelander
Freelander design chief Phil Simmons said the new SUV retains visual references to the original model, and Simmons has worked on the original Freelander during his career at JLR. Key design details include:
- A triangular rear-quarter window
- Interlocking headlight shapes
- Two raised sections on the bonnet
- A substantial lower body paired with a visually lighter cabin
Freelander recesses its branding into the bodywork, with the lettering debossed to a claimed depth of 4mm. The company displayed eight exterior finishes, split between satin and gloss treatments.
The First Edition will offer a choice of satin Lucent Lime, Immersive Purple or satin Dancing Silver. It also receives specific treadplates, wheel caps, brake callipers, embroidered trim and badging, and Freelander has not confirmed whether this edition will reach Australia.
Cabin and passenger comfort
The Freelander 8 combines a full-width dashboard display with a separate central touchscreen and physical controls. The 46.3 inches full-width mini LED display sits across the base of the windscreen, which is 1.2 metres wide, while the central touchscreen handles infotainment functions.
Freelander has retained physical controls for everyday functions. Seven buttons handle regular operations, with another two programmable buttons and separate crystal-style rotary controls operate driving and climate settings.
The cabin uses a Qualcomm SA8295P automotive processor, and it also has a voice assistant powered by a large language model. Harman Kardon sound system with up to 23 speakers and ambient lighting with 256 colours across 22 zones also grace the cabin.
An optional 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted entertainment screen serves rear passengers, and the cabin can also accommodate a 10-litre refrigerator.
The second row can feature sliding zero-gravity seats with leg rests, a 10-point massage function and eight massage modes. The third row has 834 mm of legroom.
The international Freelander 8 is being presented with more than 30 driver-assistance functions:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane assistance
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Surround-view camera system with a transparent-chassis view
- Automatic parking
- Remote parking
- Supervised parking function
Freelander has not confirmed which driver-assistance and parking systems will be available in Australia. Final equipment lists for each local variant also remain outstanding.
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