Freelander unveils the five-seat international version of the Freelander 8 and announces an AI-powered voice assistant
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The Freelander brand unveiled the five-seat international version of the FREELANDER 8 for the first time and announced a new AI-powered voice assistant at the “Freelander Nightfall” event, held at the Hengli Hotel in Wuhu, China, on October 19, as part of the 2026 Chery International User Summit. The brand confirmed that the model is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027, and also signed partnership agreements with two new partners in Bahrain and Oman.
The event followed the first test drive of the international version of the Freelander 8, held earlier that same day at the Togo Camp. Guests were welcomed by “Mornine,” the intelligent humanoid robot from AiMOGA, a Chery International brand, before viewing the vehicle on display and attending the evening’s program.
The five-seat international version of the Freelander 8 made its public debut alongside the six-seat version, giving customers the choice of a two- or three-row interior.
Phil Simmons, Executive Vice President of the Freelander Design Centre, presented the key design features of the new model, drawing on his experience as part of the team that designed the original Freelander, launched in 1997. He highlighted the fortress-inspired body design, the yacht-inspired side profile, and the distinctive triangular window whose shape incorporates the letters F and L.
Simmons said: “The shared design identity can be seen in the clean surfaces, smooth lines and friendly-looking front end. The Freelander 8 retains this spirit, but with a larger size, a more contemporary design and a higher level of luxury.”
Lucia Mao, CEO of Freelander International, announced an AI voice assistant powered by a large language model customized for Freelander vehicles, designed to enable more natural conversations with users and a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s functions.
The new assistant enhances the Freelander 8’s intelligent cabin system, which is powered by the automotive-grade Qualcomm SA8295P processor and features a 46.3-inch Mini LED display in front of the front passenger, as well as L2+ driver-assistance systems as standard. The vehicle also features the advanced Smart Intelligent Vehicle Parking system (SIVP), designed to make parking easier through automated parking-assistance functions.
Freelander presented its three-phase international expansion plan. The first phase begins in the UAE, then extends to the rest of the Middle East and international markets that use left-hand-drive vehicles. The second phase covers right-hand-drive markets, prioritizing Australia and New Zealand, while the third phase targets continental European markets, followed by the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Freelander 8 is expected to launch in the UAE in the first quarter of 2027, when the brand will reveal further details about interior space, safety and services, as well as specifications and pricing.
Mao said: “For me, bringing Freelander to the world means more than simply entering new markets; it means earning our customers’ trust every day. That requires an outstanding product, strong local partners and services customers can rely on.”
The evening included the signing of two partnership agreements with new entities in the Middle East. Tim Zhang, General Manager for the Middle East at Chery International, signed the agreements on behalf of Freelander with EK Kanoo Group in Bahrain and Saud Bahwan Group in Oman, in the presence of Lucia Mao.
Talal Fuad Ibrahim Kanoo, Managing Director of EK Kanoo Group, signed on behalf of the Bahraini partner, while Abdullah Mohammed Saud Bahwan, CEO of Saud Bahwan Group, signed on behalf of the Omani partner.
The agreements expand Freelander’s network in the region, where Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors serve as the brand’s official dealers in the UAE.
Freelander’s program at the summit continues on October 21 with test drives on an obstacle course and a paved track. These activities showcase how the Freelander 8 combines a rich heritage, smart technology and all-terrain capability, reflecting the brand’s “Beyond the Legend” slogan and its vision of building on its legacy through smart innovation and distinctive design.
