New Freelander 8's interior is an incredible screen-fest
Auto Express has confirmed the Freelander 8 will come to the UK in 2027… just don’t call it a Land Rover
It turns out the Freelander 8 isn’t just copying Land Rover’s timeless SUVs but the new BMW iX3 as well, because inside it features a gigantic 46.3-inch 8K display stretching across the entire dashboard – just like the German firm’s revolutionary Panoramic iDrive system.
It’s even called the ‘Panoramic Intelligent Display’, which won’t help to dispel any accusations of plagiarism.
This rather radical cockpit design focuses on putting all the vital information and lots more besides on top of the dashboard to help the driver keep their eyes on the road. The 1.2-metre wide dashboard display supposedly reaches up to 1000 nits of brightness, which is about the same as the latest OLED TVs, so should be clear and easy to read at all times.
We can see that the steering wheel has a slightly square shape to help the driver see over it and not block any information. Also like the new BMW iX3, the Freelander 8 features a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen that will be responsible for media and controlling most of the car’s functions, with a row of physical shortcut buttons below.
However, before anyone complains about Chinese carmakers’ disregard for international copyright law again, we should point out this interior was designed by Jaguar Land Rover.
The Freelander 8 is the result of a partnership between JLR and the Chinese conglomerate Chery, which is borrowing the heritage of the Land Rover Freelander to create a brand-new range of models, designed primarily for its home market.
However, Auto Express has confirmed the Freelander 8 is coming to the UK, and it’ll arrive some time in the second half of next year. Just don’t, whatever you do, call it a Land Rover, because neither this car or its siblings will be part of the iconic British brand’s line-up.
P.B Balaji, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, explained the working relationship between his firm and Chery to us, saying: “From a design perspective, we’ll take ownership of it, but thereafter in terms of engineering, manufacturing and of course selling it, it’s Chery’s car, and we wish them well on that.”
The reason the model will be designed in the UK is simple. Balaji continued: “Our role is ensuring that the design is in sync with what JLR stands for.” Each member of Chery’s new Freelander family will embody the iconic design traits from the original Freelander that arrived in the nineties.
These new Freelander models won’t be sold through existing Land Rover dealers, but they will be cheaper than the Land Rover Defender and Land Rover Discovery; Balaji insists they won’t directly compete against one another. So while no UK pricing has been announced, the first Freelander 8 model will be positioned under the Defender, which costs from around £60,000.
However, right now you can save more than £6,000 on a brand-new Land Rover Defender 110 with the help of the Auto Express Buy A Car service, while used examples are available from around £30,000.
What is a Freelander 8 and how does it differ from Land Rovers we know?
The Freelander 8 is positioned at the upper end of Chery’s new Freelander range, and therefore is not a small SUV. At 5.1 metres, it’s around 350mm longer than a Defender 110 without the spare wheel attached, and offers masses of space inside for up to six people. Other, smaller models will also arrive in time – next up will be a shorter two-row version.
It’s tall, too, and rides on a flexible architecture developed by Chery, which is used across various models. The Freelander 8 won’t need to meet the incredibly high metrics for torsional rigidity and off-road stiffness usually required of a Land Rover, but we have been told by Chery company representatives that it’ll have both centre and rear locking differentials and still offer impressive capability. This will also include the use of height-adjustable air-suspension, but other off-roading tech, such as anti-roll bars that can be decoupled, is still to be confirmed.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain features Chery-derived technology, rather than the expensive units found under the bonnets of UK-built Land Rovers and Range Rovers. This will include Chery’s PHEV arrangement that uses a small 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine largely as a generator to feed two electric motors.
Chery actually already produces a range of off-roader models called iCar in its home market, and these feature up to 451bhp in their top-spec format, with electric power drawn from a 34.3kWh battery pack. All-electric range is anyone’s guess, but even with such a big body, we expect a figure to rival that of the Defender – the 110 PHEV has a WLTP range of up to 30 miles.
We don’t quite yet know how these e-motors physically work in conjunction with the centre and rear locking differentials, but we’ll learn more closer to its international launch later this year. Battery-electric models are not currently planned, but this could change.
What does the new Freelander look and feel like in the flesh?
In the flesh, the new Freelander is an imposing character; it’s not just longer than a Defender, but also taller and wider. Compared with the Concept 97 that it’s based on, the Freelander 8 retains many of that car’s key styling traits. Items such as new production-specific headlights look blocky and futuristic, without losing the Freelander’s connection to the more overtly off-road derived Defender.
In fact, in overseas markets, the headlights will incorporate two small screens that act both as daytime running lights and points of information for road users. These are unlikely to pass EU regulations, however. Another clever trick are the doors, which feature inset windows and run all the way up and over the bodyside. This doesn’t just remove a part line, but also increases the opening size of the door.
Other elements, such as the split rear-quarter window and large wheels, also mess with its scale, but one key differentiator will be the bold wheelarches and black rear section of the roof. These will always be finished in a high-gloss black, contrasting against two optional matt-finish colours. There will be a total of eight hues offered, including some lurid choices such as lime green and bright purple.
What else can you tell us about the interior?
While the Land Rover team may have designed this interior, its enormous screens will run a new infotainment system developed by Chery, powered by a Chinese-based software system.
Beyond this, the cabin feels optimised for the Chinese market, with features such as the option of a large roof-mounted screen for the second row, captain’s chairs in the second row and lots of vibrant ambient lighting.
As well as the eight colour options, the Freelander 8 will also be available with six interiors, with differing leather and dash colours ranging from black, brown, purple and beige. With each of these the trim elements will also vary.
No seven-seater option will be available, though, because the Freelander 8 will have captain’s chairs in the second row and then two in the third row. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a switch to a more traditional middle bench when the car eventually makes it to the UK. Space inside is vast, which isn’t surprising given the huge exterior dimensions, but the boot behind the third row is a little tight. Access is through a traditional top-hinged tailgate with a wiper hidden away in the upper shroud.
Why is Land Rover entering into a joint venture with Chery?
This collaboration leverages the individual strengths of the two companies; Jaguar Land Rover’s design expertise, and Chery’s advances in battery and platform technology. JLR insists that Freelander will be a standalone marque, distinct from the maker’s ‘House of Brands’, which currently includes Range Rover, Defender and Discovery.
This does complicate matters somewhat for Land Rover, though, as the size and scale of these new Freelander models will be comparable to not just one, but two of its own home-grown ‘pillars’. Defender is potentially one, but as it already has a solid footing in the market, it shouldn’t be too badly affected.
Discovery is more difficult. Land Rover has confirmed it will be relaunching the brand “sooner rather than later”, and that it needs to be given a clear identity from other JLR models. However if that planned identity is more space and tech for less money, it could wind up competing directly with Chery’s Freelander sub-brand.
During the Concept 97’s global reveal, Freelander global CEO Wen Fei, said: “In 2024, JLR and Chery signed a strategic cooperation agreement, establishing our commitment to deploy a new brand, adopt a new model, and wage a new campaign on the global stage.
“Freelander shall stand as an independent brand in its own right, to bear a new mission for a new era. [It will] address a new generation of discerning customers and take its rightful place at the pinnacle of global premium.
“To precisely address the demand of global markets, we have established a product roadmap that is as ambitious as it is capable of delivery,” Fei added.
“This is not a blueprint to be admired from a distance, but a declaration to the world: Freelander will conquer every market with the most formidable product capability on earth.
“Beginning in 2026, we will introduce a matrix of all-new models over five years, spanning large and full-size SUV segments, each endowed with SUV capability and compatible with extended-range, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric powertrains. This breadth is designed to serve the diverse needs of markets across the globe. Our inaugural model will make its world debut in China in the second half of this year.
“Thereafter a new model will follow every six months; a relentless cadence of innovation designed to ignite global markets and establish Freelander as the defining leader in premium SUVs for the new-energy era,” he said.
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