Revived Freelander’s 8 selectively detailed with REEV powertrain
· Citizen
Having made its production debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April, various Chinese media outlets have uncovered of more details of the new Freelander 8.
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Multiple powertrains
Reportedly going on-sale in China next month, the joint venture model between JLR, formerly Jaguar Land Rover, and Chery will have a range-extending electric powertrain in the so-called First Edition.
Later to be joined by fully electric and plug-in hybrid variants, the Freelander 8 features styling elements from the current Defender and original Land Rover Freelander, but rides on a Chery devised platform called iMax instead of one of JLR’s own.
Fundamentals
According to new findings by autohome.cn, the Freelander 8 has the following dimensions:
- Length: 5 185 mm;
- Wheelbase: 3 040 mm;
- Height: 1 898 mm;
- Width: 2 050 mm
Reported to have six seats in a 2+2+2 layout, the 8 has a tow rating of 2 000 kg, up to 22-inch alloy wheels, an electronically locking limited slip rear diff and a mechanically locking differential at the front.
REEV first
Equipped with air suspension, but no low range transfer case, the 800-volt architecture’s first powertrain combines a 60.3-kWh battery pack with a pair of electric motors.
Being a range-extender, principle motivation is provided by the electric hardware and not the 115 kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, whose sole purpose is act as a generator for the battery.
Rear-end styling has elements from the original three-door Land Rover Freelander Cabriolet. Picture: autoexpress.co.ukSimilar to the Leapmotor C10, the Chery Group’s familiar combustion engine is, therefore, not connected to the drive wheels.
The range-extending layout means the Freelander 8 can be charged using the combustion engine or via the plug as with a conventional plug-in hybrid.
Accordingly, its claimed all-electric range is 221 km based on China’s optimistic CLTC scale.
Not yet for South Africa
Reported to have a price tag of between 300 000 to 400 000 yuan according to carnewschina.com, which amounts to between R718 320 and R957 760 when directly converted and without taxes, the Freelander 8 is still to be approved for South Africa.
Should this happen, chances are that sales will most likely start in 2027.