After I first noticed the leaked inside photographs of the brand new Freelander 8, I actually needed to do a double-take. All of us knew the Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) partnership was going to provide one thing huge, however I didn’t count on them to show a three-row SUV right into a literal first-class tech lounge. Forward of its official launch this August, the Freelander 8 is flexing some critical muscle—not slightly below the hood, however proper on the dashboard.
A Supercomputer on Wheels: Snapdragon & Huawei Energy
Let’s speak in regards to the mind of this beast, as a result of that is the place I get actually excited. The Freelander 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397. To place that in perspective, this new chip delivers 3 occasions the CPU energy and 12 occasions the AI (NPU) efficiency of the present industry-standard 8295 chip.
However they didn’t cease at uncooked processing energy. They introduced in Huawei to deal with the autonomous driving through the Huawei Qiankun ADS.
Sitting within the driver’s seat, you’re greeted by a mind-bending 46.3-inch 8K panoramic show that stretches seamlessly throughout the entrance. For the passengers within the again, there’s a huge 17.3-inch roof-mounted display screen. Wrapped in Nappa leather-based, actual wooden trim, and recycled aluminum, it feels much less like a automotive inside and extra like a high-end good house.
The Second Row “Residing Room”
The producer is actively calling the second row the “Residing Room,” and after trying on the spec sheet, I can’t argue with that. You get two unbiased captain’s chairs that make most luxurious lounge sofas look low cost.
Right here is strictly what you get again there:
Final Consolation: Each seats function heating, air flow, and a 16-point therapeutic massage operate.Zero-Gravity Recline: The precise rear seat tilts again to 145 levels and features a 4-way electrical leg relaxation.Local weather-Managed Storage: A built-in 10-liter fridge that operates anyplace from a freezing -6°C to a heat 50°C.Studio-Grade Acoustics: A customized 23-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, shielded by dual-layer acoustic glass and lively noise cancellation.Productiveness: Foldable tray tables and high-speed Sort-C ports for engaged on the go.
No Penalty Field: Actual Consolation within the Third Row
Right here is the place most SUVs fail miserably: the third row. Often, it’s a cramped, stuffy area reserved just for emergencies. However the Freelander 8 truly respects its back-seat passengers.
Thanks to an enormous 1.15-meter “Skylight Hall” glass roof, you get a formidable 960 mm of pure headroom. The true shocker for me? Even the third-row seats have heating and air flow as normal. I’ve reviewed and examined a variety of SUVs, and that form of consideration to element is extremely uncommon on this section.
Constructed on Chery’s 800V structure and backed by CATL batteries, this 5.1-meter-long titan (with an enormous 3,040 mm wheelbase) will hit the market with each Prolonged Vary Electrical Automobile (EREV) and absolutely electrical choices. It’s clear that the Freelander 8 isn’t simply making an attempt to compete within the luxurious EV area; it’s actively making an attempt to rewrite the usual for cabin expertise and luxury.
