Overview
- Freelander, which revealed the production‑intent 8 SUV on Monday in China, introduced the first model of its revived standalone brand.
- The 8 runs on a new iMAX platform with an 800‑volt system that supports battery‑electric, plug‑in hybrid, and range‑extender versions with DC fast charging up to 350 kW.
- The SUV measures about 5.1 meters with three rows and six‑ or seven‑seat layouts, and it adds a windshield‑wide display and reclining zero‑gravity second‑row seats.
- Production is set for the Chery‑JLR plant in Changshu, with China sales slated for the second half of 2026 and exports starting in the Middle East before Europe and Australia.
- Tech partners include CATL for batteries, Huawei for LiDAR‑based driver assistance, and Qualcomm for computing, and the i‑ATS system targets off‑road use with air suspension and a virtual center lock as part of a six‑model, five‑year roadmap.