# Conceptual Electric Off-Road SUVs Freelander Concept 97 by Jaguar Land Rover and Chery Is Reborn By Kanesa David | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-04-09 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freelander-concept References: [yankodesign](https://www.yankodesign.com/2026/04/02/freelander-reincarnates-as-an-all-electric-off-road-suv-with-six-models-planned/) & [landrover](https://www.landrover.ca/en/index.html)  The Freelander Concept 97 is a reborn electric SUV concept introduced by [Jaguar Land Rover](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/range-rover-gt) and Chinese automaker Chery, featuring a boxy, off-road-ready silhouette with a reference to the original 1997 Freelander and an 800-volt electrified architecture. Designed as the first preview of a standalone Freelander marque, the Concept 97 showcased a three-row layout, pillar-to-pillar display and modern lighting while signaling the brand's shift from internal combustion to electrification. JLR provided design direction and heritage cues while Chery supplied platforms, powertrain know-how and manufacturing at the Changshu joint-venture plant; electronics include [Qualcomm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eletre-suv) Snapdragon 8397 and [Huawei](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stelato-g9) Qiankun-assisted driving tech with high-resolution LiDAR. The Concept 97 matters because it launches a planned six-model electric SUV lineup aimed initially at China, marrying legacy styling with flexible EV, PHEV and range-extended powertrains to meet varied market and regulatory needs. Image Credit: Jaguar Land Rover ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.2/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Heritage-inspired EV Design:** Blending classic model cues with modern electric architecture creates new market segments that capitalize on nostalgia while delivering contemporary EV capabilities. - **Modular Multi-powertrain Architecture:** Flexible platforms that accommodate EV, PHEV and range-extended systems enable manufacturers to rapidly tailor powertrain offerings to regional regulations and customer preferences. - **Integrated Advanced Sensing and Connectivity:** High-resolution LiDAR combined with Snapdragon-class processors and cloud-assisted driving stacks supports a convergence of connected vehicle services and advanced driver assistance features. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive Manufacturing:** Joint-venture production models and shared platforms are reshaping scale economics and supply chain configurations for global EV rollouts. - **Battery and Power Electronics:** 800-volt architectures and adaptable energy systems are driving opportunities for lighter, faster-charging modules and new thermal management solutions. - **Autonomous Driving Systems:** Combining high-resolution sensing with powerful edge computing is enabling richer perception stacks and new tiers of assisted and autonomous functionality. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cubic Off-Road SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-land-cruiser-fj.md) - [Electric Off-Road SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-jeep-recon-suv.md) - [Compact Off-Road EV Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat-grande-panda-4x4-concept.md) - [Rugged Adventure-Ready Electric SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trailseeker-ev-suv.md) - [Hyper-Rugged Tech-Packed SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-land-rover-defender.md) - [Off-Road Vehicle Debuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jetours-g700-suv.md) - [Electric Off-Road Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-velocity.md) - [Electric American SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ford-bronco.md) - [Desert Competition SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/land-rover-dakar-rally-defender.md)