Chery-JLR’s new Freelander 8 extended-range electric SUV has climbed to 6,002.33 metres, setting a Guinness World Record for the highest altitude reached by a production hybrid vehicle.
Record climb in thin air
The climb took place in Tibet, China, where the SUV reached 6,002.33 metres above sea level, beating the earlier hybrid altitude record of 5,980.05 metres by 22.28 metres.
On August 22, the Freelander 8 drove roughly 1,480 metres of rocky trail with about 200 metres of vertical rise over loose scree and unpaved shale. The record was officially confirmed during the model’s China launch on September 3.
At around 6,000 metres, oxygen in the air drops sharply. Chery-JLR reports that the SUV’s 1.5‑litre turbocharged four‑cylinder range‑extender engine kept about 80% of its rated generating capacity at that height. That helped the vehicle maintain power for its electric drive system.
Powertrain and off-road hardware
Freelander 8 uses a dual‑motor all‑wheel‑drive layout with a combined 610 kW, equal to about 818 hp. The front motor is rated at 360 kW, while the rear motor delivers 250 kW and is paired with a two‑speed gearbox.
In the lower gear, the rear drive unit offers a 1.5:1 torque multiplication, giving up to 8,000 Nm of wheel‑end torque equivalent. This allows very high wheel torque at low speeds and eases the load on the motors during steep climbs.
Unlike body‑on‑frame off‑roaders, the Freelander 8 is a unibody SUV. It is 5,118 mm long with a 3,040 mm wheelbase, and uses air suspension with continuously variable damping control. Chery‑JLR says the climb did not cause structural chassis damage, though detailed post‑climb inspection data and tyre specification have not been shared.
Battery, electronics and pricing
The SUV runs on an 800V electrical architecture and is fitted with a 60.33 kWh CATL Freevoy NMC battery. It also comes with Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 driver‑assistance, including roof‑mounted LiDAR and Level 2 assistance features.
Freelander 8 is built at Chery‑JLR’s Changshu plant in Jiangsu, China. It is priced in China between about USD 41,000 and USD 53,700, which roughly translates to around Rs 54 lakh to Rs 71 lakh before any Nepal taxes or duties.
What it signals for high-altitude markets
For markets like Nepal, where many highways and trails run above 2,000–3,000 metres and some passes go near 5,000 metres, this record shows that modern range‑extended electric SUVs can be engineered to keep power and traction even in very thin air and harsh terrain. A Nepal launch for Freelander 8 has not been announced, but the record hints at the kind of hybrid and EV hardware local buyers could see in future.
Verdict: Freelander 8’s 6,002 m record climb is an important proof that high‑power, range‑extended electric SUVs can remain effective in extreme altitude conditions, a promising sign for any future models that may come to Nepal’s high‑hill and mountain roads.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
