The Legend Returns! First FREELANDER SUV Spied: CATL Battery & 2026 Launch Confirmed

Remember the Land Rover Freelander? The iconic name makes a massive comeback!

One of the most legendary names in the SUV world is returning — and it's coming back with a completely new identity. Following the official brand launch on March 31, the first spy shots of the new FREELANDER have surfaced. Created as a joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), this electrified brand is set to debut its first production model in China in the second half of 2026, with global rollout planned shortly thereafter.

Classic "Boxy" Silhouette with a Modern Twist

Despite the heavy camouflage, the spy shots clearly reveal a silhouette that closely follows the previously released Concept 97. The new FREELANDER retains the iconic "boxy" and rugged stance that originally made the name famous, while incorporating modern design elements for a fresh and contemporary appeal.

Front Design: The front end features a closed-off grille and bold rectangular LED headlights, strongly emphasising the vehicle’s tough, all-terrain SUV DNA.

Side Profile: The side profile showcases a clean and purposeful design, featuring functional roof rails and sleek aerodynamic alloy wheels. This combination effectively blends classic ruggedness with contemporary aesthetics.

Tech-Focused Interior

The interior adopts a clean, minimalist, and futuristic design language. The standout feature is the large floating infotainment screen paired with a full-width continuous digital instrument cluster, creating a modern and immersive cockpit experience. The centre console features a hollowed-out design to maximise storage space and comes equipped with wireless smartphone charging. In addition, the rear seats offer flexible configurations, allowing multiple seating and folding combinations to better accommodate outdoor activities and family needs.

A Tech Powerhouse: HUAWEI, CATL, and Qualcomm

The true strength of the new FREELANDER lies in its world-class supply chain partnerships.

HUAWEI Smart Driving: Developed in close collaboration with HUAWEI, the vehicle comes standard with the advanced Qiankun ADS V4.1 intelligent driving system. It is the world's first all-terrain SUV to feature an 896-line LiDAR.

CATL Battery: The vehicle is powered by the Freevoy hybrid/extended-range battery co-developed with CATL. It supports a high 6C peak discharge rate and ultra-fast charging speeds of up to 350 kW.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397: The cabin is powered by one of the first automotive-grade Snapdragon 8397 chips in the world, ensuring a lag-free, ultra-smooth, and highly responsive user experience.

Editor's Note

The rebirth of FREELANDER is more than just nostalgia — it represents a compelling fusion of British heritage and cutting-edge Chinese EV technology. Given Chery's strong momentum in Malaysia, the arrival of a Right-Hand Drive (RHD) version could position the new FREELANDER as a serious contender in the premium electric SUV segment.