You can’t accuse Jaguar Land Rover of skimping out when it comes to reviving classic nameplates. After a decade-long hiatus, the Freelander is officially coming back. But not as you know it.
Instead of slotting into the existing Land Rover lineup as an entry-level SUV, Freelander has been completely reborn as a standalone brand dedicated exclusively to electrified off-roaders. It’s the first major product of JLR’s expanding Chinese joint venture with Chery.
Our first taste of this new era is the Concept 97, a direct nod to the original model’s 1997 debut. While it ditches traditional Land Rover badging, its styling still carries plenty of attitude, blending classic Freelander cues with modern Defender-esque toughness.
Under the skin is where things get really interesting. Forget the old combustion setups, the new Freelander range will ride on Chery’s 800-volt architecture. This flexible platform is engineered to support a trio of electrified powertrains; full battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and range-extender configurations.
Inside, Concept 97 boasts a high-tech, three-row, six-seat cabin featuring a massive pillar-to-pillar display, couch-like rear seating, and Huawei’s latest intelligent driving tech. While the concept’s theatrical suicide doors probably won’t make it to the showroom, the overall boxy, rugged stance looks production-ready.
Speaking of production, JLR and Chery aren’t messing around. Six distinct Freelander models are slated to roll out over the next five years. They’ll all be manufactured at the CJLR plant in Changshu, China, effectively taking the place of the soon-to-be-axed Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque.
While the new Freelander brand will initially focus on the Chinese domestic market, global expansion is definitely on the cards. Australian availability is yet to be officially confirmed, but given our local appetite for capable, electrified SUVs, don’t be surprised to see this reborn icon hitting our shores in the near future.
