Freelander has officially entered the UAE market with the new Freelander 8, its first model under the revived standalone brand jointly developed by JLR and Chery. The UAE is also the brand’s first international market, with the premium hybrid SUV making its international debut in Abu Dhabi.

Freelander 8 UAE: Price and availability

The Freelander 8 has been officially presented in the UAE, but its UAE price, trim-wise specifications and customer delivery date have not yet been announced. Customers can currently register their interest.

Al Tayer Motors will represent Freelander in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, while Premier Motors will handle the brand in Abu Dhabi. The UAE launch marks the beginning of Freelander's international expansion. With its combination of 617hp hybrid performance, 110km of electric range and dedicated all-terrain hardware, the Freelander 8 enters a competitive premium SUV market with a distinctly electrified approach.

Freelander 8 powertrain specifications

The UAE-market Freelander 8 gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged dedicated hybrid engine paired with a 34.12kWh LFP battery and dual electric motors.

The all-wheel-drive system produces up to 460kW (617hp) and 662Nm of torque. The SUV offers up to 110km of electric-only range, while its claimed combined range reaches 886km.

Freelander 8 off-roading features

The FREELANDER 8 is not positioned purely as a premium road-going SUV. It uses an Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS) with nine driving modes, while the Middle East version adds a dedicated Sand Mode.

The SUV also gets dual-chamber air suspension and Continuously Controlled Damping. Ground clearance can reach 266mm, while claimed capability includes climbing a 70% gradient, crossing an 800mm cross-axle test and wading through up to 900mm of water.

Freelander 8 interior features

Inside, the Freelander 8 focuses heavily on technology. The dashboard features a 46.3-inch ultra-wide 8K display, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon SA8295P platform powers the intelligent cabin.

The SUV also retains physical controls for frequently used functions such as climate settings, seat heating and ventilation, camera views and terrain modes. A raised Commander seating position is designed to provide better visibility from the front seats.

Features designed for the UAE

Freelander has developed several features specifically for Middle Eastern markets. These include rapid cabin cooling and the dedicated Sand Mode for desert driving.

Another UAE-relevant feature is the Qibla Compass, which can display the direction of Makkah, prayer times, the distance to the Kaaba and the Hijri calendar.

Freelander 8: What makes it special?

The Freelander 8 brings together JLR-led design and Chery’s electrification technology in a premium SUV package. It features an upright, boxy design, a Castle-Style Body and signature interlocking headlights.

The SUV measures 5,118mm long, 2,050mm wide and 1,926mm tall. Higher-spec versions can also be equipped with 22-inch wheels.

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