THE LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TURNS 30

It's celebration time over at Land Rover as one of their most significant models, the prolific Discovery, turns 30.

When the Land Rover Defender wasn't making ends meet for the British firm in the mid-Eighties, the company needed a new game plan. They had two options, upscale their Defender 110 Station Wagon, or downscale their upmarket Range Rover.

They chose the latter, and the Discovery was born. To avoid cannibalising their Range Rover, they pared down in terms of luxury, raiding the parts bin from the Rover family, and delivered a rugged SUV that captured the imagination of buyers globally.

The Discovery was a hit and pulled Land Rover back from the brink of bankruptcy. In the three decades that followed, the 4x4 icon transformed from a utilitarian workhorse to a luxurious SUV, as the brand changed hands numerous times.

The latest model may have stirred controversy with its design, appointment and price, but there's no doubt the Discovery is a legend in its lifetime.

To find out more about the history, and celebrate 30 years of the Land Rover Discovery, press play below to see what James from Auto Express has to say.

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