Land Rover is not only working on a smaller Defender, but it is also dusting off the Freelander badge for something altogether more targeted. This time, the name returns on an all-new, rugged SUV built specifically for China, and if these spy shot-based renderings are on the money, it will not be shy about looking the part.

The project is being handled by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, better known as CJLR. Underneath, the new Freelander will sit on Chery’s existing T1X platform, which already underpins various Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery SUVs. In plain terms, that means lower development costs and a much quicker route to market. Reinventing the wheel is expensive. Borrowing one from the parts bin is not.

Read: The Freelander’s Back As Its Own Brand And It’s Launching Soon

Interestingly, Land Rover won’t simply revive the Freelander name for a single model. Instead, it is spinning the name into its own sub-brand, with the potential to spawn several models over time. The first of these SUVs has been spied testing under heavy camouflage, leading to these detailed renderings from Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa.

Does It Pass The Land Rover Test?

Based on recent spy shots, the first Freelander looks reassuringly boxy, exactly what you would expect from something wearing a Land Rover badge. Up front, it appears to feature slim headlights with simple DRLs, flanked by blacked-out split grilles and capped off with a hood that carries a noticeable bulge.

Similarities could also be shared with the larger Defender, particularly with the smooth profile of the side doors and the blacked-out roof and pillars. Like the previous Freelander, this new model features angled C-pillars painted in the same shade as the lower body.

The rear styling may prove more divisive. The renderings show small taillights mounted just above the bumper, which gives the back end a slightly awkward stance. Here’s hoping the lights of the eventual production model are positioned a little higher on the fascia. If not, it risks drifting into the same visual territory that has drawn mixed reactions for the current Hyundai Santa Fe.

Technical details about the new Freelander have not been confirmed, but it’s expected to be offered in both battery-electric and EREV guises. Production will be handled by the CJLR plant in Changshu.

Spy Shots: Chery-JLR Freelander SUV for China

Freelander is a new brand under Chery-JLR. The Chinese name is 神行者 (Shén Xíngzhě). Freelander will manufacture various SUVs based on Chery platforms.

The spy shots show a boxy off-road-style SUV during winter tests in Northern… pic.twitter.com/IduwHRG5vw

— Tycho de Feijter (@TychodeFeijter) February 1, 2026

Spy photographers recently snapped the facelifted Range Rover and now they’ve gotten a glimpse of the second-generation Velar. It will be a radical departure as the model becomes even sleeker and adopts a fully electric powertrain.

The redesigned crossover is expected to debut later this year, but it’s still covered in heavy camouflage. This hides a number of key details, but we can expect a rounded front end with a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by slender headlights. They’re joined by a clamshell hood and a wide lower intake.

More: Land Rover’s New Velar Trades V8 Roar For Electric Muscle

The profile immediately stands out as the Velar has a rakish windscreen that flows into a steeply sloping roof. This results in a far more dynamic design, but it looks like this could come at the expense of cargo space and rear seat headroom.

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A closer inspection reveals a rear-mounted charging port as well as flush-mounted door handles. They’re joined by streamlined bodywork, which is disguised by subtle bumps.

The rear end is the most interesting angle as we can see a distinctive liftgate with an upright tail. We can also get a glimpse of a roof-mounted camera, which could indicate the Velar will eschew a rear window. That remains to be seen, but Polestar led the way and Jaguar is following suit.

While we’re hopeful that a rear window will be included, the model will have a spoiler and wraparound taillights. They’re accompanied by a minimalist bumper, which features horizontal reflectors.

What Will Power The New Velar?

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Land Rover has primarily been focused on promoting the Range Rover Electric, so little is known about the Velar at this point. However, the two models could have a lot in common.

If that’s the case, the Velar could have a 117 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces around 542 hp (404 kW / 550 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised if there were multiple configurations on the Velar.

While there could be some similarities between the two models, it’s important to note the Velar will ride on the brand’s new electrified modular architecture (EMA). It will be built at the company’s Halewood plant and be a major test to see if Land Rover fans are ready to go electric.

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