Freelander 8 PHEV Specs Revealed: 617 HP, $81K in UAE

The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture released official powertrain specifications for the international plug-in hybrid Freelander 8 on Monday, confirming a 617-horsepower system that slots well below the 818-horsepower extended-range model sold exclusively in China. The Middle East-spec SUV pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with dual electric motors and a 34.12-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron-phosphate battery.

Total system torque hits 488 pound-feet. That output pushes the 6,570-pound vehicle from zero to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds, according to Chery JLR. Electric-only driving covers 68 miles before the combustion engine engages, extending total range to 550 miles. A DC fast charger replenishes the battery from 20% to 80% in under 20 minutes.

The numbers position the Freelander 8 directly against established luxury off-roaders. Its 35.4-inch wading depth matches the Land Rover Defender 110, while the 70% maximum climb gradient exceeds most full-size competitors. Ground clearance reaches 10.5 inches via a dual-chamber air suspension with continuously controlled damping.

Chery JLR engineers built nine modes into the Intelligent All-Terrain System (i-ATS), including Sand Mode, Smart Mode, and Expert Mode. The chassis passed an 31.5-inch cross-axle articulation test during development.

UAE pricing starts at AED300,000, or roughly $81,700. Buyers there receive a three-row, six-seat configuration stretching over 201 inches in length. Third-row passengers get standard ventilation and 32.8 inches of legroom. Second-row massage seats cost extra.

A 46.3-inch 8K Mini LED display spans the dashboard alongside a 15.6-inch central screen. Both run on a Qualcomm SA8295P automotive processor. Standard L2+ driver assistance includes more than 30 functions.

A Super Intelligent Valet Parking (SIVP) system capable of automated parking and remote vehicle summoning will roll out in select markets later, subject to local regulations and driver supervision.

The September 29 debut in Abu Dhabi marked the brand’s first move outside China, where the base model sells for approximately $50,000. The $31,700 price gap reflects a different powertrain architecture, fully loaded standard equipment, plus 5% customs duty and 5% VAT levied by the UAE government. Expansion across left-hand-drive Middle Eastern and North African countries follows immediately. Right-hand-drive markets including Australia and New Zealand are scheduled next, with the UK and European Union slated for a third rollout phase.