The Freelander 97 references the design of its Land Rover namesake in its distinctive diagonal C-pillar, which nods to the original short-wheelbase car’s detachable hardtop – a motif that is also echoed in the brand’s two-triangle logo and headlight arrangement.
The first Freelander will replace the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque at JLR-Chery’s factory in Changsu, where the final Evoque was built just hours before the unveiling of the concept, which is due to make its public debut at the Beijing motor show later this month.
It has been designed and engineered initially for the local market, but Freelander is planning to disrupt the global premium SUV market.
Fei said: “International variants are currently in intensive development and shall, after launch in China, make their distinguished entry into the world’s foremost markets.”
Confirming that Freelander prototypes have undergone extensive testing in Europe and that the car has been engineered to be compliant with Euro NCAP safety rules, he emphasised that exported Freelander models will not be merely adapted versions of the Chinese-market cars but rather highly bespoke derivatives that are closely tailored to individual market demands.
“A truly global vehicle is not engineered through adapation,” he said, “but grown from the very roots of a world-class R&D system.”
