Comeback Freelander 8 priced in China as a five or six seat REEV

The joint venture between Chery and JLR, officially called Chery-JLR, has released long overdue pricing of the Freelander 8 in China.

Five models, five or six seats

Shown as the 97 Concept shown at the Beijing Motor Show in April, the production Freelander 8 line-up spans four variants, including a special Launch Edition of which only 1 000 units will be produced.

Depending on the trim level, seating for five or six is provided, with the latter having a pair of captain’s style seat in the second row for a 2+2+2 configuration.

New platform

As previously indicated, the Freelander 8 will initially only have a range-extending electric powertrain, with fully electric and plug-in hybrid options following later.

Based on a dedicated 800-volt platform called iMax, the Freelander 8 has the following dimensions:

• Length: 5 185 mm;
• Wheelbase: 3 040 mm;
• Height: 1 898 mm;
• Width: 2 050 mm

Able to tow 2 000 kg when specified with the optional towing package, the 8 is equipped with an electronically locking limited slip rear diff, a mechanically locking differential at the front and a virtual centre locking diff.

Despite the absence of a low range transfer case, the Freelander 8 still has 4L or 4H mode as a result of it having two electric motors.

Part of an all-wheel drive system called i-ATS, it also comes equipped with a dual chamber air suspension system and rear-wheel steering, which allows for an almost carb walk type feature.

Powertrain

Up front, the range-extending electric or REEV setup means the Freelander 8 is principally motivated by a 60.3-kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor on each axle.

Connected to a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol outputting 115 kW, whose sole purpose is to act as a generator, the setup develops a combined 610kW/813Nm, which, according to autohome.com.cn, translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds.

The claimed all-electric range, based on China’s CLTC cycle, is 310 km and not 221 km as previously reported.

Spec

Depending on the trim level, comprising base, Pro, Max, Max+ and First Edition, the Freelander 8’s level of specification consists of:

• ambient lighting;
• 15.6-inch infotainment system;
• electric, ventilated, heated and massaging front seats;
• fragrance dispenser;
• dual wireless smartphone charging pads;
• ottoman-style folding front passenger’s seat;
• 46.3-inch pillar-to-pillar instrument binnacle;
• panoramic glass roof;
• LiDAR

In addition to the retention of some physical switchgear, the centre console receives a pair of optical grade dual floating crystal knobs.

Not stopping there, the second row also has heated, ventilation and massaging functions, along with a drop down 17.3-inch display, fold-out tables, sunblinds and a refrigerator.

On six seat models, the third row can be adjusted independently, while the glass roof can be opened and closed regardless of whether the main piece is open or shut.

Also reserved for the third row as side airbags and heated as well as ventilating settings for the seats.

Not yet approved

Priced from 339 900 to 449 900 yuan, which works out to between R818 588 and R1 083 504 when directly converted and without taxes, the Freelander 8 has not yet been confirmed for South Africa.

Should an announcement be made, chances are it will only become available in 2027.