Just weeks after China’s latest brand ‘Freelander’ broke the internet with its Concept97 off-roader, a new roadgoing model – known as the Freelander 8 – has appeared on stage at Auto China 2026. And its parent company seems keen to launch it in Australia.
The Freelander sub-brand is a joint venture between China’s Chery and England’s Jaguar Land Rover – itself a holding company owned by India’s Tata Motors.
Pictured: C-JLR Freelander 8
Pictured: C-JLR ‘Concept 97’
Chasing Cars understands that essentially Jaguar Land Rover is licensing the Freelander name and Land Rover design likeness for the model, which is essentially a Chery product underpinned by the Chinese marque’s engineering and mechanicals.
That said, JLR is said to have had fundamental design input and some degree of ‘sign-off’ on the production guise to ensure the Freelander 8 is somewhat ‘on brand’.
Chery Australia appears keen to bring the model to Australia as soon as possible. It confirmed in a recent local press release that “Australian launch timing [is] expected closer to production” for the Freelander 8, while also listing potential features for the model that would “resonate with Australian buyers”.
Most prominent of these features is an ‘Intelligent All-Terrain System’, which claims to select any one of nine drive modes automatically to adapt to road conditions. The system encompasses an electronic limited-slip differential (LSD), air suspension and a ‘virtual centre differential lock’, likely built off the same engineering fundamentals as Toyota’s ‘A-TRAC’ active traction control.
It’s plausible that the Freelander 8 will be built on a monocoque chassis, seen with the original Freelander of the late 1990’s, rather than a ladder-frame. Reports from inside of Auto China 2026 suggest a plug-in hybrid powertrain will be available upon the model’s launch, likely to be followed by a dedicated EV system later on.
Chery’s recently revealed ‘DHT 230’ drivetrain seems a likely candidate to underpin the Freelander 8. Chasing Cars previously covered Chery’s development of the DHT 230, which is ‘suited for vehicles above two tonnes,’ and should produce 260kW/330Nm.
The expected four-cylinder platform is tipped to feature an 18.46kWh LFP battery compatible with up to 1200V charging architecture.
Chery says the platform has been benchmarked with a combined range target “exceeding 2000km.” Like the Freelander 8, the DHT 230 system is expected to debut some time in 2027.
Pictured: Chery ‘KP31’ diesel plug-in hybrid ute
Another clear finalist for the Freelander 8 is Chery’s plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain, which was recently teased alongside the forthcoming ‘KP31’ dual-cab ute. Details surrounding this system remain scant for now.
The design of Freelander 8
The recently teased Concept97 evidently laid the groundwork for Freelander’s roadgoing model, which shares very similar styling. Both models are the work of designer Phil Simmons – responsible for styling the current Land Rover Defender – and aim to blend nostalgia with modern comforts.
“The opportunity with Freelander was to respect its heritage while making it relevant for modern customers,” said Simmons.
Pictured: C-JLR ‘Concept 97’
Several distinct styling cues have been carried over from the Freelander 8’s forebearer. Most prominent of these features is an iconic triangular rear quarter window, angular silhouette, and unpainted wheel arches.
Interior details remain largely unconfirmed, however, imagery from Auto China 2026 reveals a stripped-back, minimalist interior framed around a near-dashboard length curved screen – identical to the interior of the Concept 97.
The wide, curved screen appears to integrate the driver instrument cluster, while bizarrely, a second, more conventional infotainment screen appears in front of it.
Pictured: C-JLR ‘Concept 97’
Beneath that sits a row of physical controls, alongside two large dials, while dual wireless device chargers are integrated into a chunky centre divider.
Like the Concept 97, the Freelander 8 appears to be a three-row, seven seater, though the concept’s suicide doors unfortunately did not cross over into production. A sunroof can also be seen in images – it is not yet confirmed if it will feature as standard.
