IT'S hard to believe but the Land Rover Discovery has now been pleasing country and town folk alike for thirty years.

Most drivers who use one solely on the road love the high driving position and the feeling of safety the big Disco gives.

And they have little or no idea of the amazing abilities their marvellous transport has on a road covered in deep snow or when it leaves the tarmac behind to venture into the wilds.

This is a machine that can take you safely up one side of a mountain and down the other. It will conquer seemingly impossible slopes, get you through flood or river water nearly a metre deep or pull you out when you stray into serious mud.

It will tow the largest caravan or trailer weighing up to three and a half tonnes, and yet despite being so immensely capable, it will also keep you comfortable over the worst of roads or terrain.

To mark the 30 anniversary, the company has launched a special Landmark Edition with upgraded specification over the already well-equipped SE on which it's based.

I recently managed to borrow one for a short time and was delighted to find it felt just as good as ever from behind the wheel.

It was the higher powered SD6 3.0-litre V6 diesel version with 306bhp, which costs a shade over £60,000, but there is also an SD4 240bhp 2.0-litre diesel that's a little cheaper and can be yours on a PCP for £499 a month.

There is plenty of acceleration from any speed, thanks to the smooth engine's low down torque and the decently quick changing standard automatic gearbox. The combination feels good but the high driving position fools you into thinking its not that quick.

In fact, the 0 to 60 miles an hour time is just seven seconds, which is excellent for something so big.

The Landmark Edition comes with upgraded equipment and new design details including 20-inch Gloss Black wheels and unique exterior badging.

Taking the well-appointed SE as a starting point, it adds dynamic exterior pack, which includes a more purposeful front bumper and a Narvik black mesh grille.

The nameplate on the bonnet and tailgate is in the same black and is joined by unique Landmark badging.

And the outside is also marked by fixed front and rear panoramic glass roofs, front fog lights, signature Hi-Line tail lights and privacy glass.

Inside, there's a choice of ebony or acorn grained leather with contrasting stitching, a satin brushed aluminium centre console with bespoke mesh finisher and a 380 watt Meridian premium sound system.

Of course the Discovery - as always - combines all-terrain capability with seven-seat versatility and the practicality of intelligent folding seats and smart storage throughout.

The various models can claim more than 300 awards around the world over the last 30 years, and have a combined sale of 1.7 million units.

The traditional Discovery all-surface capability is managed by All Terrain Progress Control, which enables drivers to set and maintain a steady speed in challenging conditions.

And its available alongside Terrain Response 2, which gives a range of driving modes designed to tackle challenging conditions.