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Would you believe its a new brand of car!! It looks fantastic!!
New 2026 Freelander revealed as rugged electric off-roader
JLR partners with Chery to create a new premium 4x4 brand – and European sales are confirmed
The new Freelander brand has revealed its debut model in China as a rugged electrified 4x4, created in partnership between JLR and Chery - and confirmed plans for a rapid-fire expansion into other global markets, including Europe.
The first model from Freelander (a sibling to Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, iCar and more) is a mid-sized off-road family SUV with a new 800V electrical architecture that can accommodate electric, range-extender and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
It was previewed at the brand's launch event by the bold 97 concept, which was named for the year of the original Land Rover Freelander's launch and is expected to make production with few changes - save for the pillarless, reverse-opening rear doors.
The production version will be the first in a wave of new Freelander models destined for global sale: the brand has announced plans to introduce a new model every six months over the next five years. Each will be offered with the choice of EV, REx or PHEV power.
Freelander CEO Wen Fei referenced the historic commercial success of the Freelander (it was Europe's best-selling SUV for several years) as one motive behind the name's resurrection but also outlined the original car's distinctive blend of attributes as an inspiration.
"The genesis of the Freelander lay in recognition of the tremendous success of urban multi-purpose SUVs across European and North American markets, inspiring the creation of an entirely new vehicle that would unite 4x4 SUV capability, urban versatility and sheer driving pleasure," he said.
The name, Fei continued, "embodies an undeniable force, equally at home conquering untamed wilderness and gliding with elegance through the urban landscape. Today, as we speak this name once more, what we carry forward is the premium brand heritage and refined sensibility.
"We aspire to bring the spirit of British exploration into encounter with the power of China's new energy technology, igniting between them an inexhaustible and transformative energy."
The Freelander 97 references the design of its Land Rover namesake in its distinctive diagonal C-pillar, which nods to the original short-wheelbase car's detachable hardtop - a motif that is also echoed in the brand's two-triangle logo and headlight arrangement.
Revealed at a dedicated event in Beijing ahead of its public debut at the city's international motor show next week, the Freelander will replace the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque at JLR-Chery's Chinese factory in Changsu, which built its final combustion-powered Evoque on the day the concept was revealed (31 March).
It has been designed and engineered initially for the local market, but Freelander is planning to disrupt the global premium SUV market.
Fei said: "International variants are currently in intensive development and shall, after launch in China, make their distinguished entry into the world's foremost markets."
Confirming that Freelander prototypes have undergone extensive testing in Europe and that the car has been engineered to be compliant with Euro NCAP safety rules, he emphasised that exported Freelander models will not be merely adapted versions of the Chinese-market cars but rather highly bespoke derivatives that are closely tailored to individual market demands.
"A truly global vehicle is not engineered through adapation," he said, "but grown from the very roots of a world-class R&D system."
He continued: "From its very first day of existence, every Freelander product is conceived and calibrated for the diverse demands of markets across the world. We are not exporting a Chinese car to the world but we are building a world car, for the world, from the very beginning."
Chery-JLR has already established an expansive network of retail partners for the new brand in China but has yet to give details of how it will sell the models in other global markets, nor indicated whether JLR will be involved directly in marketing the Freelander brand.
www.autocar.co.uk
New 2026 Freelander revealed as rugged electric off-roader
JLR partners with Chery to create a new premium 4x4 brand – and European sales are confirmed
The new Freelander brand has revealed its debut model in China as a rugged electrified 4x4, created in partnership between JLR and Chery - and confirmed plans for a rapid-fire expansion into other global markets, including Europe.
The first model from Freelander (a sibling to Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, iCar and more) is a mid-sized off-road family SUV with a new 800V electrical architecture that can accommodate electric, range-extender and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
It was previewed at the brand's launch event by the bold 97 concept, which was named for the year of the original Land Rover Freelander's launch and is expected to make production with few changes - save for the pillarless, reverse-opening rear doors.
The production version will be the first in a wave of new Freelander models destined for global sale: the brand has announced plans to introduce a new model every six months over the next five years. Each will be offered with the choice of EV, REx or PHEV power.
Freelander CEO Wen Fei referenced the historic commercial success of the Freelander (it was Europe's best-selling SUV for several years) as one motive behind the name's resurrection but also outlined the original car's distinctive blend of attributes as an inspiration.
"The genesis of the Freelander lay in recognition of the tremendous success of urban multi-purpose SUVs across European and North American markets, inspiring the creation of an entirely new vehicle that would unite 4x4 SUV capability, urban versatility and sheer driving pleasure," he said.
The name, Fei continued, "embodies an undeniable force, equally at home conquering untamed wilderness and gliding with elegance through the urban landscape. Today, as we speak this name once more, what we carry forward is the premium brand heritage and refined sensibility.
"We aspire to bring the spirit of British exploration into encounter with the power of China's new energy technology, igniting between them an inexhaustible and transformative energy."
The Freelander 97 references the design of its Land Rover namesake in its distinctive diagonal C-pillar, which nods to the original short-wheelbase car's detachable hardtop - a motif that is also echoed in the brand's two-triangle logo and headlight arrangement.
Revealed at a dedicated event in Beijing ahead of its public debut at the city's international motor show next week, the Freelander will replace the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque at JLR-Chery's Chinese factory in Changsu, which built its final combustion-powered Evoque on the day the concept was revealed (31 March).
It has been designed and engineered initially for the local market, but Freelander is planning to disrupt the global premium SUV market.
Fei said: "International variants are currently in intensive development and shall, after launch in China, make their distinguished entry into the world's foremost markets."
Confirming that Freelander prototypes have undergone extensive testing in Europe and that the car has been engineered to be compliant with Euro NCAP safety rules, he emphasised that exported Freelander models will not be merely adapted versions of the Chinese-market cars but rather highly bespoke derivatives that are closely tailored to individual market demands.
"A truly global vehicle is not engineered through adapation," he said, "but grown from the very roots of a world-class R&D system."
He continued: "From its very first day of existence, every Freelander product is conceived and calibrated for the diverse demands of markets across the world. We are not exporting a Chinese car to the world but we are building a world car, for the world, from the very beginning."
Chery-JLR has already established an expansive network of retail partners for the new brand in China but has yet to give details of how it will sell the models in other global markets, nor indicated whether JLR will be involved directly in marketing the Freelander brand.
Freelander is back: This is China's revival of a beloved Land Rover name | Autocar
JLR partners with Chery to create a new premium 4x4 brand – and European sales are confirmed
