The new Freelander brand has revealed its debut model in China as a rugged electrified 4x4, created in partnership between JLR and local giant Chery - and confirmed plans for a rapid-fire expansion into other global markets, including Europe.

The first model from the new marque – a sibling to Chery's existing Omoda, Jaecoo, iCar and eponymous Chery brands – is a mid-sized off-road family SUV based on a new 800-volt architecture which can accommodate pure-electric, range-extender and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. 

Revealed at a dedicated event in Beijing ahead of its public debut at the city's international motor show next week, the Freelander will replace the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque at JLR-Chery's Chinese factory later this year.

It has been designed and engineered primarily for the local market, but the company has confirmed that variants for export to other countries are in development, as part of a strategy to disrupt the global premium SUV market. 

This story is being updated.