The brand showcased its international five-seat SUV for the first time, announced new partnerships in Bahrain and Oman, and outlined its global expansion strategy.
FREELANDER has unveiled the international five-seat version of its FREELANDER 8 SUV and announced a new AI Voice Assistant at FREELANDER Nightfall, held on 19 October at the Hengli Hotel in Wuhu, China, as part of the 2026 Chery International User Summit.
The brand also confirmed that the FREELANDER 8 is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027. The event included partnership agreements with EK Kanoo Group in Bahrain and Saud Bahwan Group in Oman, expanding the brand’s presence across the Middle East.
The announcements followed the first test drive of the international FREELANDER 8 earlier that day at Tuju Campground. Guests were welcomed by Mornine, an embodied AI humanoid robot from Chery International’s AiMOGA brand, before exploring the vehicle and attending the evening programme.
Two Seating Configurations and Distinctive British Design
The international five-seat FREELANDER 8 made its first public appearance alongside the six-seat version, giving customers the choice of two-row and three-row configurations.
Phil Simmons, Executive Vice President of the FREELANDER Design Hub and a member of the team behind the original Freelander launched in 1997, presented the design philosophy behind the new SUV.
Key elements include the Castle-Style Body Design, Yacht-Style Waistline and Iconic Triangle Window, whose shape incorporates the letters F and L.
Simmons said the new model retains the original Freelander’s recognisable design character while introducing a larger, more modern and premium appearance.
AI Voice Assistant and Intelligent Cockpit
Lucia Mao, CEO of FREELANDER International, announced the brand’s new AI Voice Assistant, powered by a large language model and tailored specifically for FREELANDER vehicles.
The system is designed to enable more natural conversations and a deeper understanding of the vehicle, building on the intelligent cockpit technology in the FREELANDER 8.
The SUV features a Qualcomm SA8295P automotive-grade chip, a 46.3-inch Mini LED far-side screen and standard L2+ driver assistance. It also includes Super Intelligent Valet Parking (SIVP), an automated parking assistance technology designed to make parking more convenient.
Together, these technologies form part of FREELANDER’s approach to combining intelligent features with everyday usability.
UAE Launch Planned for Early 2027
FREELANDER outlined a three-phase international expansion strategy.
- Phase One: Launch in the UAE, followed by expansion across the Middle East and international left-hand-drive markets.
- Phase Two: Enter right-hand-drive markets, prioritising Australia and New Zealand.
- Phase Three: Expand into continental Europe, followed by the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The FREELANDER 8 is expected to arrive in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027. Further details on specifications, pricing, space, safety and after-sales service are expected closer to launch.
Mao said the brand’s international ambitions extend beyond entering new markets, emphasising the importance of customer trust, strong local partners and dependable service.
New Partnerships in Bahrain and Oman
The event also marked the signing of two agreements to expand FREELANDER’s regional dealer network.
Tim Zhang, General Manager of the Middle East Region at Chery International, signed the agreements on behalf of FREELANDER with EK Kanoo Group in Bahrain and Saud Bahwan Group in Oman. Mao witnessed the ceremony.
Talal Fuad Ebrahim Kanoo, Managing Director of EK Kanoo Group, signed for the Bahrain partner, while Abdullah Mohammed Saud Bahwan, CEO of Saud Bahwan Group, signed for the Oman partner.
The agreements build on FREELANDER’s existing regional network, which includes Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors as its official dealer partners in the UAE.
Beyond the Legend
FREELANDER’s programme at the 2026 Chery International User Summit continues with obstacle-course and paved-road test drives scheduled for 21 October.
The activities are designed to demonstrate the FREELANDER 8’s combination of premium design, intelligent technology and all-terrain capability.
Under its slogan, “Beyond the Legend”, FREELANDER aims to build on the heritage of the original model while developing a new generation of vehicles shaped by innovation, distinctive design and evolving customer expectations.
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