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It Looks like Land Rover Is Reviving a Long-Lost Off-Roader

But it apparently won’t be like you last remembered.

Silver Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 HSE rear with yellow license plate 957 HAS.Land Rover
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By Chris Chin

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It appears the Land Rover Freelander is making a comeback. According to CarNewsChina, Jaguar-Land Rover is revamping its partnership with China’s own Chery to relaunch the nameplate in Asia, the Middle East and possibly the other markets.

However, the model isn’t likely to be similar to the one you last remembered. Rather, JLR and Chery will revive the Freelander moniker to launch a new range of entry-level electric SUVs.

The new Freelander lineup will supposedly follow Land Rover’s other badge hierarchy, where recognizable nameplates spawn a series of variants. For example, although everyone knows the full-size Range Rover SUV, the brand also spawned off the Range Rover Sport, the Velar and the Evoque.

The new Freelander could go global

Silver Land Rover Freelander SUV parked on wet sand near the ocean at sunset.
Land Rover first introduced the Freelander in 1997 as a more affordable option.
Land Rover

The latest news is a follow-up to Land Rover’s reignited partnership with Chery, after both companies entered a joint venture in 2012. The original collaboration involved manufacturing and developing Chinese-market-specific Jaguar-Land Rover vehicles.

Now, the partnership entered a new chapter where the two will co-develop and build a new EV brand using the Freelander name. JLR and Chery originally announced the project back in 2024. But the use of the Freelander name was unknown at the time.

Silver Land Rover Freelander SUV driving on rocky, grassy off-road terrain.
When launched, the Freelander was the first Land Rover to utilize a car-based unibody platform.
Land Rover

More speculation began brewing after spy photographers caught some odd-looking test mules that didn’t seem to align with or be familiar with other distinctive Land Rover models.

Now, it seems those test mules were in preparation for this new Freelander relaunch. To tease the prospect, Land Rover and Chery’s parent company, Chery Holding Group, released a graphic to showcase the new logo.

Two Land Rover SUVs, one silver two-door and one green four-door, parked on a stone driveway near colorful houses and plants.
The Freelander came in a variety of forms, similar to the original Defender and Series models.
Land Rover

When the new Freelander enters production, it’ll reportedly launch in China and neighboring Asian markets, including the Middle East, initially. But there is potential for it to go global and perhaps reach North American shores.

Chery-picked platforms and power

Red Land Rover SUV driving on a rural road under a cloudy sky.
The Freelander eventually morphed into the LR2 for its second-gen model in North America.
Land Rover

The first new Freelander model apparently measures in at around 5.1 meters, or just under 17 feet long. That makes it roughly the size of the Defender 110, which will allow for three rows of seating.

CarNewsChina also reports it’ll produce around 553 total system horsepower, will include air suspension as standard and potentially, Level 2 automated driving tech.

Blue Land Rover SUV parked on sandy beach with mountains and water in the background.
Elsewhere in the world, Land Rover continued selling the second-gen model as the Freelander 2.
Land Rover

The Freelander models will utilize Chery’s own E0X platform, which currently underpins a wide variety of other Chinese EVs. Such includes the Luxeed R7 and S7, and the Exeed Elantix ES and ET.

Additionally, on top of being a dedicated line of EV SUVs, word has it that they’ll also incorporate range-extended versions. Meaning, there an auxiliary onboard gas-powered generator exists to help provide extra range in a pinch.

Red mid-size SUV with tinted windows driving on a road with blurred background.
The new Freelander will lay the groundwork for Land Rover’s new line of affordable electric off-roaders.
Land Rover

The last time Land Rover sold the Freelander was the second-gen model, built between 2006 and up through 2015. While it was called the Freelander in its domestic British and European market, it was badged as the LR2 in North America. The first-generation sold Stateside as the Freelander.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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