The Freelander has been dormant since 2015, when Land Rover quietly retired it in favor of the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque. Now, courtesy of a joint venture between JLR and Chinese automaker Chery, it’s back as its own standalone brand, unveiled at Shanghai today with the Concept 97 as its opening statement. But it’s not a Chinese-market special that’ll never see a Western road. Freelander is aiming to be a global brand with a real off-road mandate, and the early signs are more promising than expected.
A Name Worth Revisiting
The original Freelander launched at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as Land Rover’s answer to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, which were rapidly redefining what an everyday 4×4 could be. It became Europe’s best-selling SUV not long after its debut, and while it never quite cracked the American market the way Land Rover hoped, it was still an important vehicle for the brand. It opened Land Rover to buyers who didn’t need something quite as capable as, say, a Defender, while also introducing the brand’s first monocoque chassis and ultimately laying the groundwork for everything from the Evoque to the Discovery Sport that followed. Naming this new concept “97” is a nod to the original.
The Concept Itself
The Concept 97 is a big vehicle, stretching past 5,100mm (201″) on a wheelbase over 3,000mm (118″), with 2+2+2 seating and a diagonal C-pillar treatment that directly references the original’s removable hardtop. That design motif runs throughout, right down to the triangular “FL” logo echoed in the lighting, roof trim, and even the pedals and seatbelt buckles. One of the concept’s more dramatic touches are its opposing pillarless doors, which won’t make production. But the core silhouette still appears very close to road-ready. A crash-tested prototype has already been spotted.
Inside, a full-width digital display spans the entire dashboard, paired with a large central infotainment screen powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 automotive processor — the same chip Freelander is committing to across its entire lineup from launch. For the second row, the right-hand seat features a zero-gravity recline mode for superior comfort.
The Engine
Under the skin, the platform is Chery’s E0X architecture with 800V electrical systems supporting BEV, EREV, and PHEV configurations. In tri-motor setup, peak output hits 554 hp. Meanwhile, the EREV variant deploys a 1.5-litre turbo as a range extender, with energy consumption rated at 12 kWh/60mi. The CATL-supplied battery supports 6C supercharging up to 360 kW. Off-road durability is possible thanks to second-generation non-thermal propagation tech and dedicated underbody armor and FD polymer coating. The brand is also rolling out Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8397 automotive processor across its lineup from launch.
Off-road credentials come via what Freelander calls the world’s first i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system, incorporating pre-emptive shock absorbers and three lockable differentials. For an electrified platform to be taken seriously in this space, that kind of hardware commitment matters.
Spec Sheet
Model: Freelander Concept 97
Powertrain Options: BEV, EREV (1.5L turbo range extender), PHEV
Peak Output (tri-motor): 554 hp
Charging: 360 kW peak (6C)
Energy Consumption: 12 kWh/100km
Length: ~201″
Wheelbase: ~118″
Seating: 6 (2+2+2)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397
Battery Partner: CATL
Pricing & Availability
Production on the Freelander kicks off before the end of 2026 at the Changshu facility in Jiangsu, backed by a CNY 3 billion (~$435 million) investment. Chinese pricing is expected to sit around CNY 400,000 ($57,900), with the Middle East confirmed as the first international market. Europe is next in line, with each variant to be market-calibrated rather than adapted from the China spec.
Recap
2027 Jaguar Land Rover Freelander Concept97 Revival
The Freelander name is back after a decade-long hiatus, this time as its own standalone brand born from a JLR-Chery joint venture, with a rugged electrified SUV concept that nods heavily to the original’s 1997 roots. The hardware underneath is serious, the exterior design is confident, and while the interior still has some catching up to do, there’s enough here to suggest this revival is worth paying attention to.
