Jaguar Land Rover is officially breathing new life into the beloved Freelander nameplate, which originally ran from 1997 until it was replaced by the Discovery Sport in 2015.
However, rather than returning as a traditional Land Rover model, the Freelander is being reborn as an entirely standalone electrified brand through an expanded joint venture with Chinese automotive giant Chery.
An official reveal is imminent for the brand's first vehicle, which is expected to be a large, tech-forward SUV built on Chery’s advanced modular architecture. This upcoming model will likely offer both plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains, designed to blend the rugged, practical spirit of the original Freelander with the cutting-edge technology demanded by today's modern buyers. Initially, these new vehicles will be manufactured at the Changshu plant and sold exclusively in China through a dedicated network of Chery dealerships, operating completely separate from JLR’s traditional lineup of Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery models.
Because of this strategic regional focus, the new Freelander is not coming to the UK or other Western markets just yet, although Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that global export remains a strong possibility once the brand is established. To help visualize this highly anticipated comeback before the official covers are pulled, I have created a set of custom illustrations and a detailed animation based on the recent teaser picture to reveal exactly what the new Freelander will look like.
