by New Freelander 8: colors, technologies and launch date
JLR-Chery has revealed new details about the Freelander 8 SUV, which was introduced earlier this year. The vehicle will soon go on sale not only in China, but also in the UK, the Middle East and Australia. Although the model follows the familiar formula of rugged, angular SUVs, it looks quite attractive.
Color palette and special First Edition version
The Freelander 8 will be available in eight different colors, three of which are reserved for the special First Edition model. This trio includes:
Other colors in the palette: Dancing Silver (gloss), Boundless Blue, Brilliant Bronze, Daring Black and Uplifting White.
Interior with Chinese technology
JLR-Chery has also published the first photos of the Freelander 8 interior. It looks much more modern than any JLR product currently sold in the West. A large 15.6-inch central infotainment screen is integrated into the dashboard, and a thin 46.3-inch display stretches across the entire width of the vehicle at the base of the windshield. It is known as the Panoramic Intelligent Display.
The 1.2-meter (47.2-inch) 8K panel has a brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring readability both in bright sunlight and in the dark. The steering wheel has a slightly flattened shape so the driver can see the instrument readings. The display serves a dual function: as an instrument cluster and as a separate screen for the passenger.
The interior uses many luxurious materials, including leather, Alcantara and real metal accents. A driver monitoring camera is visible on the A-pillar, and there are two wireless smartphone chargers up front. The most interesting detail is the physical switches under the screen, which provide tactile feedback often missing in many new cars from China. The infotainment system is developed by Chery and runs on a Chinese software platform.
Autonomous parking
An advanced Super Intelligent Valet Parking (SIVP) system has been confirmed for the Freelander 8. Combined with a smartphone app, it allows the owner to leave the vehicle in a designated drop-off zone in a parking lot, after which the SUV autonomously finds a spot and parks itself. When the owner wants to leave, they can summon the car to the pick-up point, similar to what Tesla owners can do. According to Chery-JLR, this feature is intended for hotels, offices and shopping centers.
Interestingly, the automaker notes that this system will only be available “in certain international markets” but does not specify which ones.
Engine information still missing
Although the Freelander 8 is rapidly approaching its launch in China and globally later this year, powertrain details have not yet been confirmed. Recent reports suggest the model will use a hybrid setup with a range extender from JLR, likely combining a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with a 60.3 kWh battery pack. JLR CEO P.B. Balaji also clarified that Jaguar Land Rover is responsible for design, while engineering, manufacturing, and sales will be handled by Chery.
The new Freelander 8 promises to be an interesting offering in the market, combining iconic British design with advanced Chinese technology. The autonomous parking system, which could significantly simplify life for drivers in urban conditions, draws particular attention. At the same time, the lack of official information about the engine leaves room for speculation, but a hybrid powertrain seems like a logical step for the modern market. All that remains is to wait for official confirmation of the technical specifications and the start of sales to assess how successful this collaboration will be.
