JLR has set up a design hub to lead on the vehicle’s design while Chery provides AI tech and a top tier global supply chain

The new FREELANDER brand - a partnership between JLR and Chinese manufacturing giant Chery - has unveiled a new international five-seat version of FREELANDER 8 and a high-tech AI voice assistant.

The brand uses the name of Land Rover’s chunky SUV first launched in 1997, but returns as a standalone marque rather than a single model.

FREELANDER 8 on an all-terrain route during the first test drive of the international variant | Chery

placeholder image — FREELANDER 8 on an all-terrain route during the first test drive of the international variant | Chery

JLR, which has large manufacturing hubs in Wolverhampton and Solihull, owns the FREELANDER brand and has established a dedicated FREELANDER design hub to lead its design, while Chery provides advanced intelligent technology and a top-tier global supply chain.

At a brand event at the Hengli Hotel in Wuhu, China, on October 19, part of the 2026 Chery International User Summit, an international five-seat version of FREELANDER 8 was showcased for the first time along with its AI voice assistant.

The FREELANDER Nightfall event confirmed FREELANDER 8, which brings together premium heritage, intelligent technology and all-terrain capability, is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027 and saw partnership agreements signed with new partners in Bahrain and Oman.

The evening followed the first test drive of the international variant of FREELANDER 8, held earlier that day at Tuju Campground, which saw guests welcomed by Mornine, an embodied AI humanoid robot from Chery International’s AiMOGA brand.

Speakers, group executives and dealer representatives at the FREELANDER Nightfall event in China | Chery

Alongside the six-seat version, the international five-seat version of FREELANDER 8 made its first public appearance, offering customers a choice of two-row and three-row layouts.

Phil Simmons, executive vice-president of the FREELANDER Design Hub, who was part of the team that designed the original Freelander launched in 1997, said: “You can see the family look: simple surfaces, soft lines, a friendly face. FREELANDER 8 keeps that spirit — but it is bigger, more modern and more premium.”

Phil Simmons, executive vice-president of the FREELANDER design hub, presents the design of FREELANDER 8 at FREELANDER Nightfall | Chery

Lucia Mao, CEO of FREELANDER International, announced the AI Voice Assistant, which is powered by a large language model and designed to bring more natural conversations and a deeper understanding of the vehicle, building on the intelligent cockpit of FREELANDER 8.

Lucia Mao, CEO of FREELANDER International, introduces the AI voice assistant at FREELANDER Nightfall | Chery

FREELANDER also shared its three-phase international roll-out. Phase one begins in the UAE and expands across the Middle East and international left-hand drive markets. Phase two enters right-hand drive markets, prioritising Australia and New Zealand. Finally, phase three will see the vehicle rolled out to continental Europe, with launches in the UK and Ireland to follow.

FREELANDER 8 is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027, when the brand will share further details on pricing.

Ms Mao said: “For me, bringing FREELANDER to the world means more than entering new markets. It means earning the trust of our customers, every day. That takes a great product, strong local partners and service people can rely on.”