Freelander already has a prototype of the first model in its range, which will reach the market very soon

Freelander, the joint venture created between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and the Chinese manufacturer Chery, has just presented a prototype of what will be the first model in its new range. The Concept 97, which is the name chosen by the company, will eventually give way to the series production model at the end of this same year.

The name Concept 97 directly refers to 1997, when Land Rover launched the first Freelander, a compact SUV that sat in the British manufacturer’s range below the Defender, Discovery and Range Rover. Now, the brand revives this iconic name under a new independent identity, the result of its alliance with Chery, with whom it has collaborated for more than a decade in distributing JLR models in China.

The Concept 97 is a mid-size family SUV oriented towards off-road use. With a length of 5.10 metres and a wheelbase of more than three metres, this model offers a six-seat configuration in a 2+2+2 layout. Its angular and robust design emphasises its off-road capability, while the interior highlights the integration of a second-row seat with a “zero-gravity” mode, designed for greater comfort on long journeys, especially in configurations with a professional driver.

For every need

Based on an 800-volt architecture, the new Freelander will be available in fully electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extender versions. It will also stand out for incorporating a novel intelligent terrain management system called i-ATS, which works together with predictive dampers and three differential locks to automatically adapt to any type of surface.

On the other hand, the battery pack, developed in collaboration with CATL, will feature advanced underbody protection, a special impact-resistant coating and state-of-the-art thermal runaway prevention technologies, as well as a Cell-to-Pack (CTP) structure. When charging with direct current, it will support a maximum power of 360 kW.

“The spirit of the original model combined 4×4 capability with urban versatility and the pleasure of driving. Today, the brand seeks to recover that essence by adapting it to current demands: a vehicle equally capable in the wildest nature as in the most sophisticated urban environment.”

Series production of the final model that emerges from this prototype will take place at Chery’s Chinese plant in Changshu (Jiangsu province), where close to 3 billion yuan has been invested in modernising the facilities – which at the current exchange rate amounts to approximately 375 million euros. Sales in China will begin in the second half of 2026, and the brand plans to launch a new model every six months over the next five years to expand the Freelander range. The company intends to market its range of vehicles not only in the Chinese market but also worldwide.