NEWS has surfaced of plans to resurrect the Freelander identify in a spread of China-built electrified automobiles by a longstanding three way partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and China’s state-owned Chery Vehicle Firm.
The Freelander was a medium SUV produced by Land Rover from 1997 to 2015 and subsequently rebranded Discovery Sport.
The Chery Jaguar Land Rover JV (CJLR) has existed for 12 years and plans to construct the brand new Freelander electrified fashions for world consumption on structure provided by Chery, which at present builds the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Vary Rover Evoque, Jaguar E-Tempo and long-wheelbase variations of the XF and XE sedans in China.
Resurrection of the Freelander model will see the JV companions “strengthen” their product providing with the brand new fashions popping out of Chery’s Changshu plant in jap China.
British publication Autocar reviews JLR as saying: “The brand new mannequin of collaboration leverages absolutely each events’ complementary strengths with Chery holding a number one automotive market place in China whereas JLR has unrivalled heritage and design power – creating mutually helpful prospects for the long run.”
The JV plans to market Freelander automobiles initially in China “unbiased from each Chery’s current portfolio and JLR’s fashionable luxurious Home of Manufacturers”.
Autocar says JLR will nonetheless launch electrical Land Rover fashions for different world markets utilizing the MLA and EMA modular platforms, and Jaguar will introduce a brand new line of all-electric luxurious automobiles utilizing the bespoke JEA platform.
With out divulging particulars, JLR says electrified Freelanders will probably be exported globally “over time” and will probably be designed and engineered for the mainstream market translated to “decrease price” or “extra reasonably priced” in comparison with different JLR fashions.
Hypothesis as to Freelander specs recommend it might be on the M3X platform shared with Chery’s premium model Exeed, which has a brand new mannequin launch agenda focusing initially on Europe subsequent 12 months.
The M3X platform was developed with enter from Canadian components producer Magna Worldwide, the construction used for the Exceed RX and the Chery Fulwin T10 SUVs.
It was designed to cater to each petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains and is an opportunity to underpin the brand new Freelander that Autocar says might run Chery’s newest ‘Tremendous Hybrid’ petrol-electric drivetrain with two electrical traction motors built-in into the gearbox combining with a petroleum engine and a large-capacity battery for a claimed electric-only vary of 160km.
Nonetheless, additionally in competition for the electrified Freelander vary is one other structure known as E0X that’s designed for battery electrical and range-extender drivetrains utilising an 800V system with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive compatibility.
Autocar reveals that each architectures, M3X and EOX “have a variable wheelbase and can be utilized for each crossovers and lower-slung fashions, however JLR has but to verify whether or not Freelander will stay an SUV-only model”.
Little doubt influencing CJLR’s selections is a response to rising extended-range EV (E-REV) recognition within the Chinese language market, which can put larger relevance on Chery’s range-extender (REx) powertrain.
Autocar reviews JLR CEO Adrian Mardell as saying: “Immediately we’re taking this vital strategic step for JLR, one which underlines our ongoing dedication to China and enhances our current enterprise in China.
“We consider that working collectively to develop new fashions of collaboration for the world’s largest and fastest-growing electrical car market, mixed with the enchantment of the Freelander model, guarantees a really thrilling future for CJLR.”
