New Freelander 8: Everything We Know About the New Freelander SUV

The Freelander name is making a return, but this time it is coming back as a standalone automotive brand rather than as a Land Rover model.

The first vehicle from the new brand is the Freelander 8, a large, technology-focused SUV being developed through the partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and Chery.

With its combination of electric drive, a turbocharged petrol range extender, 800V electrical architecture and genuine all-terrain technology, the Freelander 8 is one of the most interesting new SUVs on the horizon.

At DTUK Performance, we have created this guide to follow the development of the Freelander 8, explain what is currently known about the vehicle and look at what its arrival could eventually mean for performance tuning.

What Is the New Freelander?

The new Freelander is being established as a separate automotive brand through the Jaguar Land Rover and Chery partnership.

Unlike the original Freelander, the new vehicles will not simply be sold as Land Rover models. The Freelander brand is being developed as its own product family, with an emphasis on intelligent technology, premium design and all-terrain capability.

The Freelander 8 is the first model in this new range and is being positioned as a mid-to-large premium SUV.

This makes the return of the Freelander name particularly interesting. Rather than simply recreating the original Freelander, the new brand is being used as the foundation for a completely new generation of electrified vehicles.

Freelander 8 – The First New Freelander

The Freelander 8 is a substantial SUV, measuring approximately 5,118mm long, 2,050mm wide and up to 1,926mm high, depending on specification.

The vehicle has a wheelbase of approximately 3,040mm, giving it a large footprint and plenty of interior space. Higher specification versions can also be equipped with 22-inch wheels.

The design combines a deliberately upright and robust SUV shape with a modern, technology-focused interior. The result is a vehicle that looks very different from the compact Freelander models of the past.

Freelander 8 Powertrain – An Extended-Range Electric SUV

One of the most interesting aspects of the Freelander 8 is its powertrain.

The currently announced Freelander 8 First Edition uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system. Instead of using the petrol engine in the same way as a conventional hybrid SUV, the turbocharged petrol engine acts as a range extender for the electric drivetrain.

The currently published specification includes a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing approximately 115kW (154PS).

The vehicle also uses a 60.331kWh battery, with a published pure-electric driving range of approximately 221km under the stated test cycle.

This means that for many shorter journeys the Freelander 8 can operate primarily as an electric vehicle, while the petrol range extender provides additional flexibility for longer journeys.

800V Technology and Fast Charging

The Freelander 8 is built around an 800V electrical architecture, putting it firmly into the next generation of high-voltage electric vehicle technology.

Current published information lists 6C charging capability and peak charging input of up to 350kW when connected to suitable charging equipment.

Actual charging times and performance will depend on the charging equipment, battery condition, temperature and the final specification of vehicles supplied to each market.

Freelander 8 All-Terrain Technology

Although the Freelander 8 is heavily focused on electrification and technology, it is not simply another road-focused electric SUV.

The vehicle has been developed around the concept of all-terrain freedom, with intelligent drivetrain and chassis technology designed to provide controlled performance across a wide range of surfaces and conditions.

Current published information includes an intelligent all-terrain management system together with multiple differential-lock functions and advanced suspension technology on applicable versions.

This combination of electric drive and all-terrain technology could make the Freelander 8 a particularly interesting alternative to conventional premium SUVs.

Freelander 8 Interior and Technology

The technology continues inside the vehicle.

Current production information shows a large panoramic dashboard display stretching across much of the interior, together with a separate central control screen and advanced driver-assistance technology.

Published information for the Freelander 8 includes a 46.3-inch panoramic display and a 15.6-inch central screen, with the vehicle using high-performance automotive computing hardware.

The exact equipment, displays, driver-assistance systems and interior specifications can vary according to vehicle grade and market.

How Big Is the Freelander 8?

The dimensions of the Freelander 8 put it firmly into the large SUV category.

• Length: approximately 5,118mm
• Width: approximately 2,050mm
• Height: up to approximately 1,926mm
• Wheelbase: approximately 3,040mm
• Battery: approximately 60.3kWh in the currently announced EREV version
• Pure-electric range: approximately 221km under the published test cycle
• Charging architecture: 800V
• Maximum published charging input: up to 350kW

Some published regulatory information gives different exterior dimensions depending on specification and equipment, so the final UK-market dimensions should be confirmed when the vehicle is officially launched.

When Is the Freelander 8 Coming to the UK?

The Freelander 8 is being launched internationally, with the initial market introduction taking place in China during 2026.

The Freelander brand is also being prepared for expansion into other international markets, with UK availability currently expected during the second half of 2027.

UK pricing, final specifications, equipment levels, trim names and exact delivery dates have not yet been fully confirmed.

As the UK launch gets closer, more information is expected to become available.

Will the Freelander 8 Be Sold Through Land Rover Dealers?

No. The new Freelander is being established as a separate brand rather than becoming another model within the existing Land Rover range.

The Freelander 8 will therefore have its own brand identity and sales strategy rather than simply appearing alongside Defender, Discovery and Range Rover models as a Land Rover.

This is an important distinction for anyone searching for information about the new Freelander, particularly because the name has such a strong history within the Land Rover family.

Can the Freelander 8 Be Tuned?

This is where things become particularly interesting from a performance perspective.

The Freelander 8 is not a conventional petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Its EREV architecture combines a turbocharged petrol range-extender engine with an electric drivetrain and a large high-voltage battery.

That means a conventional tuning box designed for a normal turbocharged petrol engine cannot simply be assumed to work with the Freelander 8.

Any future tuning solution would need to be specifically developed and tested for the Freelander 8 and its particular electronic and powertrain architecture.

DTUK does not currently advertise a Freelander 8 tuning box. However, as the vehicle becomes established in the UK and more technical information becomes available, we will be watching the platform closely.

Could the Freelander 8 Get a PedalBox?

The Freelander 8’s electric drivetrain and electronically controlled accelerator make throttle response an interesting area for future development.

At present, DTUK does not advertise a PedalBox or PedalBox EV application for the Freelander 8.

As the vehicle reaches more markets, compatibility can be assessed and any future DTUK product will only be listed once the appropriate application has been developed and confirmed.

Freelander 8 Performance – What Could the Future Hold?

The Freelander 8 is already an interesting vehicle from a performance engineering perspective.

Its combination of electric motors, high-voltage architecture, a turbocharged petrol range extender and advanced all-terrain systems means that future performance enhancements could potentially take a very different form from traditional engine tuning.

For DTUK, this is exactly the sort of new vehicle technology we will be watching closely.

If a properly developed and tested DTUK tuning or throttle-response solution becomes available, we will update this page and the relevant vehicle application with the details.

What About the Original Freelander?

While the Freelander 8 represents the future of the Freelander brand, the original Freelander and Freelander 2 remain important parts of the name’s history.

DTUK also has selected tuning applications for earlier Freelander models, including Freelander 1 and Freelander 2.

If you own an older Freelander, use the vehicle applications below to check whether a DTUK tuning box is available for your particular engine.

These existing applications also mean that DTUK has been developing performance solutions for Freelander vehicles for many years, long before the arrival of the new Freelander 8.

The Future of Freelander

The return of Freelander is potentially one of the more interesting developments in the SUV market.

The original Freelander helped establish the idea of a more compact and accessible Land Rover. The new Freelander brand is taking a very different approach, combining electrification, advanced software and technology with the all-terrain capability expected from a vehicle carrying the Freelander name.

The Freelander 8 is only the beginning. The new brand is expected to develop a wider family of electrified vehicles over time, making it a brand worth watching closely.

For DTUK, the immediate priority is to understand the new technology and monitor the vehicle as it enters more markets. If compatible performance products become available, we will add them to our Freelander range.

Freelander 8 – DTUK Performance

We will continue to update this page as new information about the Freelander 8 becomes available, including UK specifications, pricing, availability, powertrain details and future performance products.

If you’re considering a Freelander 8 and want to know whether DTUK develops a tuning or throttle-response solution for the vehicle in the future, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Important: Freelander 8 specifications, equipment, dimensions, powertrain details, charging performance, range, pricing, availability and other information may change as the vehicle is introduced into different markets. Specifications and features may also vary between countries, model grades and individual vehicles. The information above is based on currently published information and should be treated as subject to change. Always check the latest manufacturer information for your local market before making a purchase decision.