Freelander 8 launches in China, priced from RM 188k

Freelander has officially launched the Freelander 8 in China, starting from RMB 289,900 (around RM 188k) after launch incentives.

The new SUV is offered in 6 variants, featuring both 5-seater and 6-seater seating configurations. As standard, the entire lineup gets Huawei Qiankun ADS 5, an 800V high-voltage architecture, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 chipset.

Pricing and launch offers

Exterior design

On the styling front, the Freelander 8 largely retains the design language of the CONCEPT 97, maintaining FREELANDER’s iconic “boxy” silhouette.

The front fascia features a closed-off grille paired with squarish block headlamps, delivering a rugged off-road stance.

Down the sides, it sports clean, straight character lines, dynamic alloy wheels, and practical roof rails fitted as standard equipment.

The Freelander 8 measures 5,118 / 5,185 mm in length, 2,050 mm in width, and 1,898 mm in height, with a 3,040 mm wheelbase. This places it squarely in full-size/large SUV territory, promising immense cabin space.

Smart tech

Tech-wise, the Freelander 8 comes equipped with a roof-mounted LiDAR, with Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 confirmed as standard across the entire range.

The model also marks the global debut of the i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system, boasting millimetre-level terrain recognition.

Fine-tuned over 6 rigorous development phases and tested across 20 distinct terrains, it automatically plans the optimal driving strategy, complete with active road-preview adaptive damping, intelligent drive mode selection, and a hardcore “three locks” setup.

Inside, the cabin showcases a fresh design highlighted by a massive 46.3-inch display and a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, taking digital cockpit ambience to the next level.

Refinement extends to the fine details. Standard equipment includes physical buttons featuring Clous de Paris (Paris Hobnail) patterns, dual floating rotary dials crafted from 144-facet K9 optical crystal, and 256-colour dual-halo floating ambient lighting for a truly premium feel.

Cabin comfort

Rear passenger comfort is prioritised with dual second-row “zero-gravity” captain chairs complete with heating, ventilation, massage, and leg rests.

In addition, second-row occupants get fold-out tray tables and an integrated refrigerator.

A ceiling-mounted rear entertainment screen serves the middle row, while the third row is treated to dedicated cup holders and adjustable backrests.

Powertrain & performance

Billed as a luxury tech-focused all-terrain SUV, key performance highlights include:

Charging Capability: Built on an 800V high-voltage range-extender platform supporting 6C ultra-fast charging, juicing from 20% to 80% takes as little as 12 minutes.

Ride & Handling: All variants get rear-wheel steering as standard (with up to ±10° rear steering angle), resulting in a turning radius of ≤5.15 metres for effortless lane changes, single-take U-turns in tight spots, as well as a dedicated “Crab Walk” mode. 

Braking & Tyres: Standard braking hardware comprises 6-piston front fixed calipers clamping down on massive 404 mm ventilated discs, delivering a 100-0 km/h stopping distance of just 35.7 metres. It rides on EV-specific Pirelli tyres, available in 22-inch P-ZERO ELECT or 21-inch Scorpion 3 ELECT sizes.

Drivetrain Specs: Equipped with a CATL Freevoy EREV-dedicated ternary lithium battery pack (60.3 kWh capacity), it provides a CLTC-rated pure electric range of up to 310 km. Range extension is handled by a standard 1.5T four-cylinder engine featuring Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC). 

AWD Output: A dual-motor AWD setup comes standard, putting out a combined 610 kW and 813 Nm of torque, good for a 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds. The 250 kW two-speed rear motor pushes peak wheel torque to 8,000 Nm, allowing on-the-fly 4L / 4H switching at speeds below 20 km/h.

While currently exclusive to the Chinese market, Chery's strong market momentum in Malaysia alongside Jaguar Land Rover's established brand prestige could well make this “luxury high-tech SUV” a viable candidate for a Malaysian introduction.