Chery Jaguar Land Rover has started building the Freelander 8 in Changshu, China, and says pre-sales will open on August 10. The new model is a large extended-range SUV positioned as a technology-rich premium option, with the first overseas version expected to be a left-hand-drive Middle East model later this year or early next year, according to the company announcement.
Why Nepali readers should care
Nepal does not import this model today, but the launch matters because China-based automakers and joint ventures increasingly influence the SUVs that reach Nepal through regional supply chains. If Chery-JLR expands the Freelander line into right-hand-drive export markets, Nepal could become a logical long-term target, especially if the brand seeks a wider presence beyond China and the Middle East.
For Nepali buyers, the signal here is not an immediate launch but the type of product this is: a large six-seat luxury SUV with Huawei-assisted driving tech, quad-LiDAR, and an 800-volt platform. That points to a vehicle that would likely sit in the upper-price bracket if it ever arrived in Nepal. It would line up against imported premium SUVs, not mainstream family models.
Headline specs from the announcement
- Launch timing: production started on July 30; pre-sales on August 10.
- Body size: 5,118 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, 1,898 mm tall, with a 3,040 mm wheelbase.
- Layout: 2+2+2 six-seat configuration.
- Powertrain: 1.5T range extender with 115 kW output.
- Battery: 60.331 kWh ternary lithium pack from CATL.
- Electric-only range: 221 km claimed.
- Tech: Huawei Qiankun ADS 5, quad-LiDAR, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397, and standard 800-volt architecture.
The Freelander 8 is available in five versions, with prices ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 66,200 for the limited First Edition. It supports 6C fast charging, allowing the battery to charge from 20% to 80% in around 12 minutes. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces up to 818 hp and 813 Nm of torque, with the top version accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. It also offers a claimed CLTC electric range of 310 km.
The Freelander 8 features a boxy design with rectangular headlights and a closed front grille. Inside, it gets a massive 46.3-inch panoramic display and a 15.6-inch central screen. Other highlights include rear-wheel steering, zero-gravity second-row seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, and an onboard refrigerator.
The company has not announced any Nepal launch plan, and the current export roadmap appears to start with left-hand-drive markets rather than Nepal’s right-hand-drive market. The Freelander 8 is not an immediate Nepal model. It still serves as a clear indicator of how quickly Chinese-built premium SUVs are moving upward in size, technology, and pricing expectations.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
