Chery has unveiled the FREELANDER 8, a boxy plug-in hybrid SUV that borrows Land Rover's classic design language while relying on Chery's own engineering underneath. According to a first-drive report from Chinese outlet Autohome (Autohome), the model is now available for pre-sale in China at a guide price of 339,900 to 429,900 yuan (about $47,900 to $60,500), before taxes and incentives, with a limited first-edition run of 1,000 units priced at 459,900 yuan (about $64,800).
The FREELANDER 8 is built on an 800V range-extender (EREV) platform, pairing a 1.5T engine with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Total output is 610 kW (about 818 hp) with 830 Nm of torque, enough for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.6 seconds when the battery is full. Autohome notes that the powertrain feels nearly identical to a pure battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in daily driving, with the range extender's intervention barely perceptible in terms of noise or vibration.
Off-Road Hardware and Real-World Testing
The SUV comes with serious off-road kit: a mechanical differential lock on the front axle, an e-LSD electronic limited-slip differential on the rear, a virtual center lock, closed single-valve dual-chamber air suspension, and CDC variable damping. Approach and departure angles are 20 and 25 degrees respectively—not class-leading for hardcore off-roaders, but a clear step up from typical urban SUVs, according to Autohome.
In Autohome's testing, the FREELANDER 8 climbed a 70% gradient ramp without scraping, and descended a 100% (45-degree) slope smoothly with hill descent control engaged. On a reverse 45-degree climb, the front wheels slipped slightly but the mechanical front lock engaged quickly to pull the vehicle through. The i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system, which uses sensors and lidar to detect surface type and adjust torque distribution, also handled sand, mud, and gravel sections competently, even with the front lock disengaged.
Urban Comfort and Smart Driving
On the road, the FREELANDER 8's dual-chamber air springs and CDC dampers filter bumps effectively, and the car offers distinct comfort and sport modes. The sport setting adds firmness and reduces body pitch under acceleration and braking, but the SUV remains comfort-oriented rather than hardcore. A rear-wheel steering system with ±10 degrees of travel shrinks the turning radius to that of a compact or midsize SUV, making the large body feel nimble in the city.
For driver assistance, the FREELANDER 8 is equipped with Huawei's ADS system—the test car was a pre-production unit, so Autohome couldn't evaluate it fully, but the hardware basis of Huawei ADS5 suggests first-tier capability once the production version ships. The FREELANDER 8 is positioned as a versatile "all-rounder" that handles daily commuting and light-to-moderate off-road duty, with a design that clearly echoes Land Rover's iconic boxy silhouettes—a collaboration where Land Rover provides the brand heritage and design narrative, while Chery handles all core hardware development and tuning.
Based on reporting by 汽车之家. Edited and published in English by geisou.
