Freelander confirmed for New Zealand launch in 2027

Freelander will launch in New Zealand in 2027 as a standalone premium SUV brand backed by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, with Australia and New Zealand named as priority right-hand-drive markets.

The first model will be the Freelander 8, a large SUV that pairs JLR-led design with Chery’s electrified technology. New Zealand pricing, specifications and a firm arrival date have not been announced.

At more than 5.1 metres long, the Freelander 8 sits at the large end of the premium SUV market. It comes in five- and six-seat configurations, although the announcement does not say which will come here.

In China, where it opened pre-orders in August, the Freelander 8 is a range-extended EV. A 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder acts only as a generator, and a 60.3kWh CATL battery gives a claimed 310km of electric range on the CLTC cycle. Its 800-volt architecture supports 6C charging, for a claimed 20 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes, and dual motors produce 610kW and 813Nm for 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. Specifications for Australian and New Zealand models have not been confirmed.

The brand will be run locally by Kym Mellow, appointed head of Freelander Australia and New Zealand after executive roles at Inchcape Australasia and Mazda Australia. Mellow is responsible for setting up the brand, building its dealer network, and overseeing sales, product and aftersales.

“Freelander brings together JLR’s British design and all-terrain heritage with the best of Chery’s technology, scale and supply chain,” Mellow said.

Freelander will sell through established local dealerships, with premium showrooms in metropolitan and selected regional areas. Dealer appointments will be announced before launch.

The cars are built in China by Chery Jaguar Land Rover, the 50:50 joint venture set up in 2012 that has built Jaguar and Land Rover models, including the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, since 2014. JLR licensed the Freelander name to the joint venture in June 2024, and the first Freelander 8 came off the line at its Changshu plant on 30 July 2026.

The brand launched in China on 3 September and reported more than 10,000 pre-orders for the Freelander 8 within 48 hours. Its international launch followed in Abu Dhabi on 29 September, with the UAE its first overseas market. Freelander plans six models over the next five years.