Real DNA
It’s hard enough to prove how tough a car is nowadays with all the technological features automakers put in them. Many believe older, more mechanical models are far superior in toughness and rugged dependability. Even harder is the idea of reviving a nameplate known for these qualities as an electrified model built by a Chinese manufacturer.
Freelander’s return is one of the automotive world’s highlights this year, despite being a China-only model for now. The partnership between JLR and Chery is behind the comeback, eager to show that the Freelander 8 has Land Rover DNA; it even claimed a world record in astonishing fashion.
JLR-Chery
Freelander 8 World Record
The Freelander 8 has already made a couple of appearances at select motor shows across China, but the official launch took place just a few days ago, on September 3. Before the launch, the brand put the Freelander 8 through one hell of a trial, climbing 6,002.33 meters (3.73 miles) up a loose-surface mountainside in Tibet. That sets a new record for a hybrid vehicle and beats the previous one held by the BYD Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 in July 2024 by just 22.8 meters (25 yards).
The trail traversed by the record-beating Freelander 8 was far from easy; it featured a 1,480-meter (1,619-yard) real off-road trail mixed with 200-meter (219-yard) vertical climbs on loose rock and shale. At that height, the air is much thinner, which affects vehicle performance. Despite the challenge, Chery-JLR says that the Freelander 8 retained 80% of the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder range extender’s rated generating capacity during the climb. The Freelander 8 is powered by a dual-motor AWD Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) system that makes a massive 818 hp, paired with a two-speed gearbox.
Freelander
The Tech Behind the Climb
Its powertrain is a clever unit designed to help the Freelander tackle any off-road condition and is a major factor in its world-record claim. In first gear, the system adds a 1.5-to-1 torque multiplication step that generates 5,900 lb-ft of torque. Essentially, this acts like a low-range gear that helps the SUV climb steep inclines. Another key factor in the Freelander 8’s climb is its unibody SUV chassis, which, according to Chery-JLR, did not sustain any damage during the world record climb.
No specific details have been released about what tires the Freelander 8 used during the climb or the car’s condition afterward. Nonetheless, a Guinness World Records entry is a feat in itself, giving the Freelander 8 more credibility as a modern trail vehicle.
