The Freelander SUV is reborn as a sharp off-road EV, and it’s going global [Images]

The Freelander SUV was the best-selling 4WD off-roader in Europe for years. Now, it’s back with an electric powertrain and a sleek new style. Here’s our first look at the Freelander EV.

Meet the new Freelander off-road EV SUV

Launched in 1997, the Land Rover Freelander 1 quickly became one of Jaguar Land Rover’s most popular models and Europe’s top-selling 4WD vehicles.

Jaguar Land Rover discontinued the Freelander in 2015 to focus on more premium, higher profit models like the Discovery Sport.

The rugged off-road SUV is coming back through JLR’s joint venture in China with Chery Automotive. The electric 4×4 SUV made its debut in China on Tuesday, March 31.

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It will be the first model under the JLR and Chery’s Freelander brand, initially launching in China first, followed by other global markets, including Europe. Freelander’s CEO, Wei Lan, confirmed during the event (via Autocar) that “International variants are currently in intensive development and shall, after launch in China, make their distinguished entry into the world’s foremost markets.”

The Freelander EV has already undergone “extensive testing” in Europe, Lan said, and is designed to comply with EURO NCAP’s updated vehicle protocols.

Rather than a modified version of the China-made model, it will be custom-tailored for each market. “From its very first day of existence, every Freelander product is conceived and calibrated for the diverse demands of markets across the world. We are not exporting a Chinese car to the world, but we are building a world car, for the world, from the very beginning,” Freelander’s CEO explained.

The off-road SUV will be built on Chery’s 800V platform, enabling purely electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain options.

It will be produced at JLR’s and Chery’s manufacturing plants in Changsu, China, replacing the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque.

The new electric SUV will be the first to launch under the new Freelander brand. As it aims to establish the brand in China, Freelander plans to launch a new vehicle every six months for the next five years.

Can the Freelander compete with top-selling electric off-roaders like the GWM Tank 700 or BYD’s Yangwang U8 in China? We will find out shortly.