Freelander Is Back: New NEV Brand Unveils the 896-line LiDAR-Equipped Freelander 8

The legendary Freelander nameplate is making a grand comeback — but not as you know it. FREELANDER, the new New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand under the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, has officially released first-look images of its inaugural model: the FREELANDER 8.

Positioned as a Luxury Tech All-Terrain SUV, the Freelander 8 serves as the vanguard of an ambitious five-year roadmap to launch six major models. It is set to make its global debut in the second half of this year, with international markets — including Malaysia — highly expected to follow.

Key Highlights

Design: Drawing inspiration from the CONCEPT 97, the Freelander 8 retains a classic "boxy" silhouette. Its closed-off front fascia and rectangular LED headlamps strike a perfect balance between rugged heritage and modern EV aesthetics.

Huawei Smart Driving: The vehicle is equipped with the Huawei Qiankun ADS 5.0. This suite features a world-first 896-line LiDAR sensor, offering unparalleled environmental perception and precision.

Off-Road Tech: The model debuts the i-ATS (Intelligent All-Terrain System), which utilizes LiDAR and binocular cameras for millimeter-level terrain recognition. This is paired with "Three Differential Locks".

Platform & Power: Built on the iMax Platform, the Freelander 8 supports both BEV and REEV configurations. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8397 chip and features a CATL Freevoy battery, supporting 6C ultra-fast charging with a peak capacity of 350 kW.

Editor's Note

With Chery's aggressive expansion and manufacturing footprint in Malaysia, the Freelander 8 could be a genuine game-changer for the local luxury segment. By merging Land Rover's "all-terrain" soul with the pinnacle of Chinese smart-driving tech, it presents a compelling case for modern buyers. The question is: would you pick this high-tech newcomer over a traditional luxury SUV?