Freelander will officially launch in Australia as a standalone vehicle brand in 2027, under the Chery umbrella, with the large Freelander 8 confirmed as its first local model.
The familiar name is being revived through the Chery Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) joint venture, but rather than returning as a Land Rover model, it will become a separate premium brand focused on electrified SUVs with all-terrain capability.
Australia and New Zealand have been identified as priority right-hand drive markets, forming part of a wider international expansion that will eventually include six Freelander models over the next five years.
Leading the rollout is the Freelander 8, an upper-large SUV measuring more than 5.1 metres long and available globally in five- and six-seat configurations.
Freelander says the new SUV will combine British-influenced design with electrified technology and genuine capability away from sealed roads, positioning it against established European and Japanese models in the premium upper-large SUV segment.
The Freelander 8 has already gone on sale in China, where the company says it attracted more than 10,000 pre-orders within 48 hours. The United Arab Emirates is the first export market, with Australia and New Zealand to follow in 2027.
In China, the Freelander 8 is offered with a 1.5-litre turbo range-extender (REEV) plug-in hybrid powertrain, equipped with a 60.3kWh battery boasting a WLTP electric range of 221km. Dual electric motors provide up to 610kW (818hp). The rear motor uses a two-speed gearbox to offer a kind of low-range ratio for off-roading. With its 800V architecture, it supports 350kW DC charging (very impressive for PHEV/REEV).
Behind the new brand is Chery Jaguar Land Rover, the 50:50 joint venture established by the two manufacturers in 2012. JLR licensed the Freelander name to the partnership in 2024, allowing it to develop a standalone range drawing on JLR’s design and all-terrain experience and Chery’s electrified technology and manufacturing resources.
Production takes place at the joint venture’s Changshu plant in Jiangsu Province, China, where the first Freelander 8 was built in July 2026.
The original Freelander was sold as a compact Land Rover SUV across two generations before eventually being replaced by the Discovery Sport. The new Freelander operation is therefore quite different, with the name now representing an entire brand rather than an individual Land Rover model.
The Australian operation will be headed by Kym Mellow, who has previously held senior positions with Inchcape Australasia and Mazda Australia. Work is underway to establish the local business and recruit additional senior staff.
Freelander also plans to establish an Australian dealer network covering major metropolitan areas and selected regional locations, with individual dealer appointments to be announced ahead of launch.
The Freelander 8 will arrive in Australia during 2027, with local powertrain details, equipment, pricing and more precise timing to be confirmed closer to its introduction.
