Nobody knows the real price of this SUV yet, and that's the whole story
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover's first Freelander model goes on sale September 3, but the current 329,900-yuan price tag might not survive the day.
There's less than a week left, and the price is still anyone's guess. On September 3, Freelander 8 — the first production model from the new brand born out of the Chery and Jaguar Land Rover joint venture — officially launches in China. Here's the catch: the 329,900 yuan (about $48,650) figure everyone's citing right now reflects temporary incentives, not a confirmed final base price.
Compare for yourself. When pre-orders opened on August 14, the five-seat Freelander 8 was priced from 339,900 yuan, and the six-seat Pro from 349,900 yuan. That's exactly why September 3 is a real test: will the brand hold onto that lower entry point, or will the discount evaporate along with the promotional window?
On the technical side, there's barely a surprise left — every card is already on the table. The EREV pairs a 1.5-liter gasoline generator with two all-wheel-drive electric motors producing a combined 610 kW — about 829 hp — and 813 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds. Seriously.
A 60.3 kWh CATL battery delivers up to 310 km of pure electric range on the CLTC cycle. And the 800-volt architecture with 6C charging support turns refueling into a formality: 20 to 80% in a claimed 12 minutes. Just don't compare that 310 km directly with European WLTP figures — CLTC traditionally adds extra kilometers that won't show up on the road.
At 5,118 mm long with a 3,040 mm wheelbase, Freelander 8 comes in five- or six-seat layouts. The equipment list includes dual-chamber air suspension, a front mechanical locking differential, and rear-wheel steering with up to 10 degrees of angle. All Chinese versions also get Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5.
Interest in the car ignited well before the official launch: within the first 48 hours of pre-orders opening, the automaker reported more than 10,000 reservations. That said, deposits from Chinese brands are typically refundable, so pre-order numbers aren't the same thing as future deliveries.
And China is only the beginning. Pre-production Freelander 8 units are already testing on UAE roads, with the Middle East confirmed as the first export market. So September 3 matters for more than just the price — it'll reveal the final Chinese configuration that overseas versions will later build on. Remember this date.