The FREELANDER 8 has officially made its global debut. FREELANDER is a new, independent luxury NEV (New Energy Vehicle) technology brand jointly created by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. Positioned as a luxury tech all-terrain SUV, the new vehicle comes standard with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4.1 smart driving system, an industry-leading 896-line LiDAR, and the next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip. More core details will be disclosed in June, with an official market launch expected in the second half of 2026.
In terms of exterior design, the FREELANDER 8 adopts a classic “boxy” silhouette, staying true to the design philosophy of the Concept 97. The front end features a minimalist style that pays homage to classic heritage models, complemented by matrix square headlights integrated with ISD interlocking pixel matrices, providing high recognizability when illuminated.
The body lines are straight and rugged, exuding a sense of power. With an estimated length exceeding 5.1 meters, the vehicle possesses a commanding presence. The roof integrates luggage racks and a LiDAR sensor, seamlessly blending hardware into the bodywork. A sharp waistline runs from the front to the rear, paired with semi-hidden door handles to optimize aerodynamics while enhancing the luxury feel. The signature rear triangular window design carries forward the brand’s classic DNA.
The rear of the vehicle features a clean, minimalist design with prominent “FREELANDER” lettering in the center. The square-shaped taillights on both sides can display personalized patterns. Multiple sensing hardware modules are embedded within the rear spoiler. The overall styling balances urban sophistication with hardcore off-road character, catering to all-scenario travel needs.
Inside, the cabin is equipped with a massive wrap-around screen displaying critical information such as navigation, temperature, and speed. A floating central control screen sits in the middle, while the steering wheel and center console knobs incorporate design elements from classic historical models.
The FREELANDER 8 is the result of deep collaborative development between the brand and three industry leaders: Huawei, Qualcomm, and CATL. Together, they have created a full-stack intelligent solution encompassing “Smart Driving + Computing Power + Perception.”
The entire lineup is equipped with the Huawei Qiankun ADS 4.1 intelligent driving system, which is upgradable to future generations for continuous capability iterations. Leveraging Huawei’s expertise in autonomous driving, the system covers urban roads, highways, and off-road scenarios. Combined with all-terrain perception hardware, it significantly lowers the barrier to off-road driving. The 896-line LiDAR can accurately identify obstacles as low as 14 cm from 120 meters away. In extreme environments like dense forests or deserts, it captures millimeter-level terrain fluctuations, providing “ground-truth” perception for both smart driving and all-terrain systems.
Furthermore, the vehicle features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 chip. As the successor to the 8295 chip, its CPU performance has increased threefold, GPU performance by nearly three times, and NPU performance by twelve times. This allows for efficient processing of data from LiDAR, cameras, and other sensors, ensuring the smooth operation of both the smart driving and infotainment systems while providing ample power for real-time all-terrain data calculations.
In collaboration with Huawei Yinwang, the FREELANDER team developed the i-ATS (Intelligent All-Terrain System). Utilizing an “896-line LiDAR + binocular camera” terrain perception solution, the system has undergone six rounds of rigorous tuning and validation across 20 types of terrain. It can predict road conditions in milliseconds and plan the optimal driving strategy. Paired with a front mechanical differential lock, rear e-LSD (electronic limited-slip differential), virtual center lock, and a closed dual-chamber air suspension, the FREELANDER 8 perfectly balances on-road comfort with off-road capability.
