Beyond the Legend: First-Hand Experience of the International FREELANDER 8, On and Off Road
SHANGHAI, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three days in Wuhu, four very different tests. At the 2026 Chery International User Summit, FREELANDER’s international guests took part in the first test drive of the international variant of FREELANDER 8, on and off road.
The Test Drive Programme
An all-terrain course came first, then an obstacle course with a steep hill-climb ramp, water and cross-axle sections, a paved test course and, on 21 October, SIVP (Super Intelligent Valet Parking). Off road, i-ATS (Intelligent All-Terrain System) let guests choose from nine terrain modes to suit the ground.
A guest drives FREELANDER 8 with i-ATS (Intelligent All-Terrain System) at Tuju Campground
What Guests Said
On the steep descent, a guest from Spain said their heart was “still pounding a little bit”, then added: “But I trust the car.” When rain fell on the slope, a guest from Egypt was glad of it: “this is really the torture test for any slope.”
On the paved course, a guest from the United Kingdom found the car “far more comfortable than I had expected.” A guest from Qatar said: “I expected it from everything we heard about the car. But to experience it in real life, it was a different thing.”
The Technology Behind It
Under the relevant test conditions, FREELANDER 8 can climb gradients of up to 70%. Hill Descent Control and Crawl Control help manage the way down. FREELANDER 8’s global validation programme includes a 12-hour extreme rain test.
On cross-axle sections, FREELANDER 8 offers 800 mm of maximum articulation and 240 mm of wheel travel, with the All-Terrain Dual Lock System helping to maintain traction. It can wade through water up to 900 mm deep. These capabilities are subject to the vehicle’s operating limits and appropriate driving conditions.
FREELANDER 8 drives through mud and standing water on the all-terrain course
Dual-chamber air suspension with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) supports ride comfort. The international left-hand drive version delivers 460 kW of peak power and 662 N·m of peak torque, with 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. Braking comes from six-piston fixed front calipers with 404 mm vented front discs.
In supported parking scenarios, SIVP lets drivers park and recall the car via a smartphone app. It will be available in selected markets, subject to the system’s operating conditions; the driver remains responsible at all times.
What Comes Next
Launch in the United Arab Emirates is expected in the first quarter of 2027. FREELANDER 8 brings together premium heritage, intelligent technology and all-terrain capability. This combination reflects the brand slogan “Beyond the Legend” and its vision of building on its heritage through intelligent innovation and distinctive design.
About FREELANDER
FREELANDER is a British Premium Intelligent All-Terrain Brand, jointly developed by JLR and Chery Group. JLR owns the FREELANDER brand and has established a dedicated FREELANDER Design Hub to lead its design. Chery provides advanced intelligent technology and a top-tier global supply chain. The brand’s global foundation includes more than 5,000 employees, five strategic hubs and fully integrated capabilities spanning design, R&D, manufacturing and global operations.
Media contact
Daniel Bao
freelander.international@mychery.com
https://www.cheryinternational.com/
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