The new Freelander 8 SUV has been spotted testing in the UAE ahead of its expected expansion into overseas markets, giving a closer look at the large range-extender SUV outside its home market of China. The Freelander 8 is being developed by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, although it does not wear a Land Rover badge. The UAE appears to be an important market for the new brand, with the Freelander name also building a presence across the Middle East.
Photos shared online show two partially camouflaged Freelander 8 prototypes undergoing road testing. One appears to be an entry-level version without the roof-mounted LiDAR sensor fitted to higher-spec models. The SUV has already opened presales in China, where it is priced from 339,900 yuan (about $A73,000) to 459,900 yuan (about $A99,000) based on current exchange rates.
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A large SUV with plenty of power
Measuring 5118mm long, 2050mm wide and 1898mm tall, the Freelander 8 is firmly in large-SUV territory. It has a 3040mm wheelbase and a boxy exterior design that takes inspiration from the original Freelander. The Freelander 8 is available with either five or six seats, with the three-row version featuring two second-row captain’s chairs.
Those seats can be fitted with heating, ventilation, massage and zero-gravity functions, while other interior features include a 46.3-inch dashboard display, a 15.6-inch central screen and a 17.3-inch roof-mounted entertainment display. There is also a 10-litre refrigerator and a suite of Huawei technology, including a LiDAR-based driver-assistance system.
Under the skin, the Freelander 8 uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain. A 1.5-litre petrol engine acts as a range extender for the 60.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. The battery provides up to 310km of claimed electric range under China’s CLTC testing standard.
The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces a substantial 610kW and 813Nm, allowing the SUV to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds. It also features rear-wheel steering and air suspension, adding to its list of high-end equipment.
Could the Freelander 8 come to Australia?
The UAE sighting is significant because it suggests the Freelander brand is already looking beyond China. The company has reportedly been building its overseas presence in markets including the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, there is currently no confirmation of an Australian launch.
If the Freelander 8 eventually expands into Australia, it would enter a market where large SUVs are already popular, although its extended-range electric powertrain would give it a different proposition from conventional petrol-powered seven-seat SUVs.
For now, the UAE testing suggests the Freelander 8’s international rollout is moving closer, with more details about its global markets expected as the launch programme progresses.
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