THE tracks around Eastnor Castle are known as one of the toughest off road proving grounds in the world.
It's little surprise that for the past 50 years the 5,000 acre estate straddling the Worcestershire and Herefordshire border has become the home of Land Rover.
Every model made by the famous British brand since the early 1960s has been put to the test in the mud and mire around Eastnor.
So where better to try out the latest version of the Freelander - the vehicle which became Land Rover's first ‘electric' SUV.
Unlike other Land Rovers which have permanent four wheel drive, the Freelander has an ‘intelligent' set up which varies power to each wheel as required.
The Freelander was also the first to feature hill descent control - a Land Rover invention which automatically applies the brakes when tackling steep slopes.
On the new Freelander the HDC system has been updated to make its operation smoother and more effective.
The speed of the vehicle when descending can now be varied in tiny steps of a third of a mile an hour at the touch of a button on the steering wheel to give the driver absolute control.
Coupled with the latest version of the computerised Terrain Response system which is now a feature on all Land Rovers with the exception of the stalwart Defender, and the Freelander is quite remarkable for an off-roader without low ratio gears.
The one we tried was a high grade HSE SD4 model priced from £37,205 and powered by a 2.2-litre 190ps diesel engine mated to a six speed automatic gearbox.
With first gear selected and the mud and ruts setting engaged on the Terrain Response the Freelander successfully negotiated tracks which fitted the description perfectly - and awash with water for added effect.
The Freelander is tough, its rigid construction supported by a stiffened plate below the front which also helps the steering under severe conditions.
We perched the car on an axle twisting ramp, raising opposite wheels off the ground and the framework didn't budge. At such a precarious angle it is still possible to open and close all the doors and the boot such is the strength of the body.
The Freelander can wade through water up to half a metre deep - good but not as capable as the other Land Rovers - and that's the compromise.
With a front axle clearance of around eight inches and 10.5 at the back the Freelander cannot quite manage the same sort of territory as the larger Discovery and the Range Rover.
Nevertheless its lighter weight - it tips the scales at 1.8 tonnes compared to 2.5 tonnes for the Discovery - gives it an edge when it comes to negotiating softer surfaces such as snow or sand.
The electronic armoury on the Freelander includes the likes of ABS, traction control and cornering brake controls which all play a part on the road as much as off it.
The latest versions handle more precisely than the original and are now fitted with electronic parking brakes instead of a conventional handbrake.
That not only frees up space on the centre console but also is an effective emergency aid delivering maximum stopping power by fingertip operation. Neither can the brake be released if the driver's seat is unoccupied.
To help move off on steep slopes there is a gradient control function which holds the car in check until sufficient drive is available to pull away without slipping.
Another high tech feature is regenerative charging under braking which helps the Freelander operate with greater fuel efficiency. Officially it will average 40.4mpg with emissions now reduced to 185g/km making it one of the cleanest Land Rover 4x4s ever.
In theory it has a range of some 600 miles on a single tank while on the road it's no slouch and capable of 0 to 60 in 8.7 seconds.
From a practical point of view not only does it deliver off road it is also very family friendly, seating five in some space and comes with a useful amount of luggage space - 755 litres with all seats occupied, 1,670 if you fold the rear seats.
It can also tow up to two tonnes and can be fitted with an optional rear view camera to help hitching. As a leisure vehicle it takes some beating.
The latest Freelander has undergone some subtle body changes to keep its looks fresh including a smarter front grille and new look lamps, especially at the rear where they now feature distinctive red rings.
Much of the updated electronics have come from its top selling stablemate, the Range Rover Evoque which is built alongside the Freelander at Land Rover's Halewood factory on Merseyside.
There are also more Evoque-like traits inside including a redesigned facia and instrument panel while the Freelander line up now features a new flagship HSE Lux model which sits on 19-inch alloys and comes with high grade leather upholstery, thick pile carpets and has a black lacquer interior trim.
It costs from £39,805 while the range itself now starts at £23,705 for a front-wheel-drive eD4 model in S trim.