On August 14, the Chery-JLR joint venture's revived Freelander brand opened pre-sales for its first model, the Freelander 8, while Great Wall Motor's Wey brand officially launched the V8X flagship SUV—two distinct new offerings entering China's mid-to-high-end SUV market simultaneously.
Freelander 8: A Cross-Border Blend of British Heritage and Chinese Engineering
The Freelander brand, revived by the Chery-Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, officially opened pre-sales for its first production model, the Freelander 8, on August 14. Positioned as a large extended-range all-terrain SUV, the Freelander 8 carries pre-sale prices ranging from 339,900 yuan to 429,900 yuan, with a launch limited edition (capped at 1,000 units) priced at 459,900 yuan.
The Freelander 8's core strengths lie in its tripartite collaborative development:
- Intelligent Driving: Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 standard across all trims, with an 896-channel LiDAR
- Cockpit Chip: Among the world's first to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip, with NPU computing power 12x that of the previous generation
- Battery: 60.3kWh CATL Shenxing Pro ternary lithium pack, delivering a CLTC all-electric range of 310km
- Charging: 800V 6C high-voltage platform, charging from 20% to 80% in just 12 minutes
- Power Output: Dual-motor AWD with combined output of 610kW and peak torque of 813Nm, achieving 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds
Dimensionally, the Freelander 8 measures 5,118/2,050/1,898mm with a wheelbase of 3,040mm, offering a 2+2+2 six-seat layout. Off-road equipment includes standard ±10-degree rear-wheel steering, closed dual-chamber air suspension, front mechanical differential lock, rear e-LSD, and the i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system.
The Freelander brand was officially elevated to a standalone NEV brand on March 31, 2026, with plans to launch six models over the next five years. The first overseas version—a left-hand-drive Middle East model—is expected to go on sale between late 2026 and early 2027.
Wey V8X: GWM's Hybrid Flagship Technical Tour de Force
On the same day as the Freelander 8 pre-sales, Great Wall Motor's premium brand Wey officially launched its new flagship SUV—the V8X. Positioned as a large five-seat PHEV SUV, the V8X is offered in Sport and Luxury Family series with five trim levels, retailing from 239,800 yuan to 315,800 yuan, with limited-time promotional pricing starting at 226,800 yuan.
The Wey V8X's technical highlights are equally impressive:
- Hybrid System: GWM's self-developed Super Hi4 hybrid architecture, pairing a 2.0T engine with a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission
- Performance: Top trim delivers combined system output of 500kW and peak torque of 930Nm, with a full-battery 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds
- Range: 66.6kWh ternary lithium battery, maximum CLTC all-electric range of 402km, combined range of up to 1,659km
- Charging: 800V platform with 6C fast charging, 30% to 80% in just 9 minutes
- ADAS: Coffee Pilot 4 system built on Nvidia's Thor-U chip (700 TOPS) + LiDAR + 11 cameras
On the chassis front, the V8X features GWM's in-house closed dual-chamber air suspension (100mm adjustment range), EDC continuously variable damping shock absorbers, and ±20-degree bidirectional rear-wheel steering, achieving a turning radius of just 5 meters.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Comparison Dimension | Freelander 8 | Wey V8X |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Ownership | Chery-JLR JV | Great Wall Motor |
| Powertrain Type | EREV (Extended-Range) | PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) |
| Dimensions | 5,118×2,050×1,898mm | 5,125×2,025×1,821mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,040mm | 3,050mm |
| Seating Layout | 2+2+2 Six-Seat | 2+3 Five-Seat |
| Starting Price | 339,900 yuan | 226,800 yuan (promo) |
| EV Range | 310km (CLTC) | 402km (CLTC) |
| System Power | 610kW | 500kW |
| 0-100km/h | 4.6s | 4.5s |
| ADAS Chip | Snapdragon 8397 | Nvidia Thor-U 700TOPS |
| Rear-Wheel Steering | ±10 degrees | ±20 degrees |
Market Positioning: Different Tracks Under Differentiation
Although both models debuted on the same day, their target audiences and market positioning differ significantly. The Freelander 8 emphasizes the combination of off-road capability and luxury intelligent cockpit, targeting consumers who value all-terrain performance and brand prestige. The Wey V8X, meanwhile, leverages ultra-long range, supreme comfort, and intelligent cabin as its selling points, aiming at high-end users who prioritize family travel experience.
From a pricing perspective, the Wey V8X demonstrates stronger price competitiveness with its 226,800 yuan promotional starting price, while the Freelander 8's 339,900 yuan entry point aligns with its joint-venture brand positioning. The launch of both models further enriches the product matrix of China's mid-to-high-end NEV SUV market. For more analysis on China's NEV SUV market dynamics, visit EX1000.COM.
