{"id":73885,"date":"2026-04-02T09:40:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/?p=73885"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:40:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:40:37","slug":"freelander-concept-c97-the-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/2026\/04\/freelander-concept-c97-the-return\/","title":{"rendered":"FREELANDER CONCEPT C97: THE RETURN"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p>It\u2019s called the ConceptC97, was unveiled in China, and carries on the legacy of the Land Rover Freelander introduced in 1997. But this time, \u201cFreelander\u201d doesn\u2019t just refer to a model; it\u2019s a brand born from the collaboration between the Chery Group and Jaguar Land Rover. The model will also be sold outside the People\u2019s Republic of China and features angular lines reminiscent of the first generation and the current Defender lineup.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1.jpg\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[919baf7fae8887e95ba]\" data-title=\"novo-freelander-concept97-2027 (1)\" title=\"novo-freelander-concept97-2027 (1)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-73882\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271170%27%20height%3D%27658%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201170%20658%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271170%27%20height%3D%27658%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-1.jpg 1170w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p>The design of the Concept C97 was developed by the Gaydon Design Center and the Shanghai development team, and lays the groundwork for a brand strategy that will introduce six models over the next five years. The concept car echoes the Freelander in certain details, such as the front lettering at the end of the hood, the split headlight design, and the triangular side window. Its dimensions, however, have grown significantly, reaching a length of 5.1 meters.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2.jpg\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[7defa34cdaa7d43221d]\" data-title=\"novo-freelander-concept97-2027 (2)\" title=\"novo-freelander-concept97-2027 (2)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-73878\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271170%27%20height%3D%27658%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201170%20658%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271170%27%20height%3D%27658%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/novo-freelander-concept97-2027-2.jpg 1170w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p>Access to the cabin is made easier by the doors\u2019 folding design, thanks to the absence of a B-pillar. The interior can accommodate six passengers across three rows of seats. The seats feature a two-tone color scheme of light blue and light gray, while the dashboard has a clean, functional design dominated by a large central display; a second display is mounted on the roof.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":73880,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[3458],"class_list":["post-73885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","tag-freelander"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-09 04:01:06","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73885"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73888,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73885\/revisions\/73888"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}