Freelander 8 debuts as a modern adventure SUV with Chinese tech and British design cues.
Image: Supplied
Remember the Land Rover Freelander? Built through two generations between 1997 and 2014, it launched the British off-road brand into the popular ‘softroader’ segment.
Now it’s back! But this time around, it’s not an exclusively British product.
Freelander is being relaunched as a standalone brand in a new joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover and Chinese auto giant Chery.
The first product of this venture is the Freelander 8, which made its first public appearance in near-production form at the recent Beijing Auto Show.
The revived Freelander brand targets global markets with a new-generation SUV lineup.
Image: Supplied
Positioned as a premium, technology-focused SUV brand for global markets, the Freelander brand has not been officially confirmed for South Africa. Yet given that it will be produced in right-hand drive format for the UK and Australia, and that both companies have a solid footprint in this country, its local introduction is surely more likely than not.
The vehicle aims to blend cutting-edge Chinese technology with familiar British design cues. To that end, the new model's exterior styling was overseen by Phil Simmons, the man responsible for the current Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Velar.
The newcomer features numerous signature design elements from the original, including the trademark rear-quarter window.
“The opportunity with Freelander was to respect its heritage while making it relevant for modern customers,” Simmons said.
“That means clean, confident design paired with genuinely useful technology.”
Inside the new Freelander 8: a tech-focused cabin with a large integrated digital display. Note, concept model shown, production version may differ.
Image: Supplied
The vehicle is described as a “genuine all-rounder”, featuring a new Intelligent All-Terrain System designed to automatically adapt to changing surfaces. The system features nine terrain modes and works in tandem with an air suspension system as well as an electronic limited-slip differential and a virtual centre locking function.
Full technical details have not been released as yet, but reports indicate that the Freelander is built on a new multi-energy Chinese JV platform, designed to support fully electric, range-extended EV and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Inside the cabin, the emphasis is on space, visibility and digital integration, with a large Mini LED display combining vehicle data, navigation and real-time driving information into a single interface.
More information on the Freelander 8 will be released closer to launch.
IOL Motoring