The Land Rover Freelander—or LR2 as it was called in the US—is back, only not as you remember it. For starters, it’s no longer a Land Rover as it has evolved into its own brand called Freelander as part of a joint venture between China’s Chery Auto and Jaguar Land Rover; it will have its own product roadmap, distribution network, and management.
But don’t worry; it won’t be a China-only model. While it will launch in China first, it will become available globally later, including in Europe. Sadly, the chances of it making it to North America are rather slim in the context of prohibitive import tariffs.
The second big difference from the Freelander/LR2 you know is that the new model packs an 800-volt electrical architecture that can accommodate electric, range-extender and plug-in hybrid powertrains; so no more ICE-only variants on the menu.
Freelander Concept 97 Is an Accurate Preview of the Production Version
Chery JLR
Thankfully, the new Freelander carries over key design cues from its Land Rover predecessor, and those are easy to notice on the Freelander Concept 97 you see in these photos. Named to honor the original Land Rover Freelander’s launch year, the Concept 97 is expected to be a quite accurate preview of the production model, except for the pillarless, rear-hinged rear doors.
The shape of the headlights, the split third lateral window, the two-triangle logo, and the proportions are clear reminders of previous Freelanders, but the new model is clearly anchored in our era. The concept previews a range of Freelander SUVs—Chery and JLR plan a new model every six months—offering a choice of BEV, EREV or PHEV power.
Another big difference from the Freelander you remember is the size, as Concept 97 is massive: it’s over 200 inches long and it has a wheelbase of over 118 inches. That means it previews a mid- to large-SUV that may have three rows of seats.
Chery JLR
Inside, the Freelander Concept 97 features a massive central touchscreen and a digital display that spans the entire width of the dashboard. Thankfully, some physical buttons are visibile on the steering wheel and there are also two glass rotary dials on the center console.
As for the rear passenger compartment, which features limo-style curved seating and a folding seat setup, it’s most likely just for show and won’t make it to production. The first model to come out will be built at Chery-JLR’s plant in Changshu, China, where the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque used to be made.
Europe Will Get the New Freelander Too
Chery JLR
Developed internally under the E0V designation, Freelander’s first model will ride on Chery’s E0X next-generation modular platform. According to Global China EV, the tri-motor version will offer a peak system output of 554 hp, while the EREV model will use a 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine as a range extender.
The Freelander SUV’s BEV variant is said to feature a battery system co-developed with CATL that supports 6C supercharging with a peak charging power of 360 kW. The battery pack will be protected by dedicated underbody armor and an FD polymer coating in order to ensure durability during off-road use. Freelander is also expected to be one of the first global automotive brands to deploy Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 automotive processor across the lineup.
Chery JLR
Following the launch on the Chinese market, Freelander will also arrive in the Middle East and later on in Europe, with each region said to get variants tailored to market demands. “We are not exporting a Chinese car to the world but we are building a world car, for the world, from the very beginning,” Freelander CEO Wei Lan said at a dedicated event in Shanghai, according to Autocar.
The Freelander brand’s public debut will take place next week at the Auto China 2026 show in Beijing. More details will be released later.
