A lead engineer on the Freelander 8 states that the new SUV completed all-terrain development trials matching or exceeding those applied to luxury SUVs from his earlier projects.

Antonio Maresca, chief engineer at Chery's R&D centre, shared details of the engineering program for the JLR-Chery brand's debut model during a media presentation in China.

Mr Maresca noted his background includes roles at Jaguar Land Rover and BMW, along with work on the original Freelander, prior to joining Chery.

He explained that the new SUV followed the same strict test protocols used on previous luxury vehicles, with certain aspects of the Freelander 8 program extending further.

"It is not simply on par. In numerous instances it goes beyond those vehicles," he said. "This assessment draws from my professional experience supported by years of data and practical testing."

Mr Maresca highlighted structural strength, performance in extreme temperatures, and crash-energy management as key evaluation areas.

He avoided naming specific comparison models or sharing their test figures. The remarks reflect his engineering background and the Freelander 8 program rather than any formal comparison with current BMW or JLR vehicles.

The statement arrives ahead of the Freelander brand's planned 2027 launch in Australia, where the all-new Freelander 8 large SUV will head the lineup. Earlier reports covered the model's global specifications and Australian introduction timeline.

The brand has now outlined further details of its durability efforts. Its media materials indicate over 200 vehicles were assigned to all-terrain durability work, accumulating a total of 2.15 million kilometres.

These vehicles represent part of a broader development fleet exceeding 1000 units tested across more than 50 road types worldwide.

The 2.15 million kilometres figure covers the combined all-terrain fleet rather than individual vehicles and does not represent the full global program distance.

Earlier this month Freelander described the wider testing as covering deserts, gravel, rocky paths, steep inclines, water crossings, and paved roads. The brand also noted 12 hours of intense rain exposure.

Mr Maresca added that vehicles faced cold conditions in northern Europe, heat and humidity in Southeast Asia, and heat, dust, and sand in the Middle East.

Australian roads formed part of the program, as noted in prior coverage of the April reveal, though Freelander has not disclosed distances covered locally or any Australia-specific adjustments.

Freelander states it created separate left-hand drive, right-hand drive, and European versions on a shared platform with modifications for local rules and buyer preferences.

The Freelander 8 features off-road equipment including dual-chamber air suspension and continuously controlled dampers offering up to 266mm of ground clearance. The brand reports the suspension completed 15000 durability compression tests.

Its four-wheel drive setup pairs an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential with a virtual centre diff lock.

Freelander lists a maximum wading depth of 900mm, capability for an 800mm cross-axle articulation test, and climbing ability on slopes up to 70 per cent, or roughly 35 degrees.

The model also passed an internal stationary climate test in which, after two hours in sunlight, the air temperature at the driver's head position fell by about 33 degrees Celsius within 10 minutes of activation.

Freelander has not provided comparative figures against established luxury brands.

Freelander indicates the 8 meets safety standards for each market where it will be offered.

Australian pricing, specifications, equipment, warranty, and service details remain to be confirmed.