The 2026 Beijing Auto Show officially kicked off with the debut of FREELANDER, a global luxury new energy technology brand created through a strategic partnership between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. Its first concept car, the Concept 97, took center stage at the Huawei Qiankun booth, drawing massive crowds and becoming one of the most talked-about highlights of the event. Appearing as a core partner of Huawei, FREELANDER’s presence underscores a deep commitment to co-creating the future of intelligent mobility.
Since its global debut, FREELANDER has rapidly advanced its collaboration with Huawei Qiankun. The brand announced that its first production models for the Chinese market will come standard with the latest generation Huawei ADS 5.0 (Advanced Driving System), featuring continuous over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities. This integration elevates FREELANDER’s intelligence to a new industry benchmark.
In an era of increasingly homogenized automotive design, the Concept 97 stands out by staying true to the brand’s 78-year design DNA. It blends authentic luxury heritage with a modern “tech-aesthetic,” refusing to compromise on its unique personality.
FREELANDER is the world’s first luxury brand to equip its entire lineup with Huawei’s intelligent driving solutions. Its debut model will also be the first luxury all-terrain SUV globally to feature an 896-line LiDAR. Through deep technical integration, the two companies have developed the world’s first i-ATS (Intelligent All-Terrain System), which incorporates high-thread LiDAR data for the first time to enhance off-road precision.
The i-ATS system has undergone six rounds of rigorous tuning and validation across 20 types of complex terrain. It offers millisecond-level response times, automatically matching the best driving mode for the current landscape. Equipped with front, center, and rear differential locks and a closed dual-chamber air suspension with a wide adjustment range, the vehicle handles off-roading with ease. On the highway, it acts as a stable “all-terrain magic carpet,” while in complex conditions, it serves as an “all-terrain prophet” that anticipates the road ahead.
Beyond autonomous driving and all-terrain tech, FREELANDER’s first Chinese model will be among the first to feature the next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397 automotive-grade chip. It will also come standard with an 800V high-voltage EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) platform and a specialized battery co-developed with CATL for all-terrain use. This combination sets a new global standard for luxury new energy vehicles across three key pillars: assisted driving, intelligent cockpit, and battery performance.
FREELANDER will soon release official design renderings of its first production model, which is expected to stay 100% faithful to the Concept 97’s design essence. The brand plans to launch six models within the next five years. The first production vehicle will make its Chinese debut in the second half of this year, with international versions currently under development for core global markets.
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