Freelander name has returned in China as part of the Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) partnership, with Freelander 8 becoming one of the first major products under the revived identity. The full-size SUV has now gone on sale in China with an EREV powertrain, dual-motor AWD and up to 818 hp.
While those numbers are impressive, one of the biggest talking points from the launch was a dramatic demonstration involving a Freelander 8 being subjected to a severe rollover. Despite suffering extensive damage, the SUV was subsequently shown driving under its own power and even tackling a steep loose-surface gradient.
Freelander 8 Put Through Brutal Rollover
As part of the demonstration, Freelander 8 was sent down an incline and subjected to multiple rollovers and impacts. By the end, the SUV was in a severely damaged condition, with deformation visible across the bonnet, roof and multiple exterior panels. Glass areas were damaged, while sections around the rear were also visibly hanging from the vehicle.
However, the demonstration didn’t end with the crash. The same visibly wrecked Freelander 8 was subsequently shown moving under its own power. It was then driven across rough terrain before attempting a steep sandy and loose-surface gradient. Despite the extensive body damage, the SUV managed to make its way up the incline.
The battered Freelander 8 was eventually brought to the launch event itself, where it was displayed on stage in its post-rollover condition. The demonstration appears intended to highlight the structural and mechanical resilience of Freelander 8 and its ability to retain mobility following a severe accident. However, this was a manufacturer-organised demonstration and should not be confused with a standardized independent NCAP crash test.
Freelander 8 Gets 5,000 Firm Orders In 12 Hours
Freelander 8 has also received an encouraging initial response in China. Freelander announced that it secured 5,000 firm orders within 12 hours of launch. These are described as firm orders because they become non-refundable after customers lock in their chosen configuration. Customers can initially place an order with a deposit of 5,000 yuan.
Freelander 8 is available in Pro, Max and Max+ trims, with buyers able to choose between five-seat and six-seat configurations. Prices start at 309,900 yuan for Pro 5-seat, while Pro 6-seat costs 319,900 yuan. Max versions are priced at 349,900 yuan and 359,900 yuan for five and six seats, respectively. At the top, Max+ costs 389,900 yuan with five seats and 399,900 yuan with six seats.
818 HP Dual-Motor AWD EREV
Freelander 8 is a substantial SUV, measuring 5,118 mm long, 2,050 mm wide and 1,898 mm tall. Wheelbase measures 3,040 mm, while ground clearance is rated at 220 mm. The SUV can tow up to 2,000 kg and comes equipped with dual-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering. Despite its size, rear-wheel steering helps achieve a claimed turning radius of just 5.15 metres.
Freelander 8 has a kerb weight of 2,980 kg, highlighting just how large and heavy the vehicle is. Power comes from an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) setup. A 1.5-litre petrol engine functions primarily as a range extender, while a 60.3 kWh LFP battery provides a claimed electric-only range of 310 km under the Chinese CLTC cycle.
Dual electric motors provide AWD as standard and produce a combined 610 kW, equivalent to around 818 hp, along with 813 Nm of torque. Despite weighing almost three tonnes, Freelander 8 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds.
Freelander Platform Has An India Connection
Developments around the revived Freelander programme are particularly interesting from an Indian perspective. Tata Motors is reportedly revising the technology strategy for its upcoming Avinya premium EV range, moving away from JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) in favour of an architecture sourced from the Chery-JLR ecosystem.
The first production model under this revised strategy is expected to be Avinya X, codenamed P2, with a market launch reportedly targeted for 2027. The earlier plan involved using JLR’s EMA platform. However, adapting that architecture is understood to have become too expensive for Avinya’s intended positioning and expected volumes. Access to the CJLR architecture could allow Tata to reduce development time and improve cost competitiveness.
While the underlying architecture is expected to come from the Chery-JLR/Freelander ecosystem, Tata will reportedly rework key electronics, software and vehicle systems for Indian requirements. Tata Technologies engineering teams in China are also understood to be involved alongside teams in India and the UK.
