Home » The Land Rover Defender Beach Break Gets Some Whimsy From Toyota-Like Stripes

The Land Rover Defender Beach Break Gets Some Whimsy From Toyota-Like Stripes

Land Rover Defender Beach Break Topshot
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As the death of color draws on, we need more solutions to fight it. While it used to be common to see everyday cars that weren’t greyscale, it’s a shame that nowadays, more cars aren’t available in more colors. While the colors, materials, and finishes team at JLR isn’t revising entire color palettes just yet, that hasn’t stopped it from having a bit of fun. The Land Rover Defender Beach Break edition adds a splash of color by borrowing some stripe motifs from Toyota.

To build the Beach Break, Land Rover started with a four-cylinder five-door Defender P300, because that’s just the sensible option. Look, the V8 I tested earlier this year was positively lovely, but in a vehicle like this, a 296-horsepower turbocharged two-liter four-banger will absolutely get the job done.

Vidframe Min Top
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From there, Land Rover’s bathed the Defender Beach Break in the excellent shade of Tasman Blue, sprayed the roof white, and bolted on a set of 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels that look an awful lot like steelies. Not only are they larger than the old steel wheels for better brake clearance on higher-output models, they’re lighter too. However, the piece de resistance of the Beach Break is the striping.

Land Rover Defender Beach Break

The yellow, orange and red streaks down each flank recall quarters fired at “Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart’s Super Off Road” because this tricolor motif rose to off-road prominence on Toyota desert racing trucks. Admittedly, it’s also a fairly common motif in the design world, so it makes sense that Land Rover’s using it, but I wonder how 4Runner owners feel about this? Regardless, I reckon it works brilliantly, adding pops of color and whimsy to the SUV.

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Land Rover Defender Beach Break

Speaking of colors, Land Rover’s made the curious decision to spec its beach bum Defender with a white interior. Officially called Light Cloud and Lunar Resist, these themes and textiles seem a tad impractical for playing in the sand, but they brighten up the cabin a great deal. Speaking of impracticalities, it’s unlikely the chunky cross bars and pillar-mounted gear box are particularly quiet on the freeway, but they look the absolute business.

Land Rover Defender Beach Break

Unfortunately, this cheery special edition won’t exactly be common in the wild. Only 20 Land Rover Defender Beach Break editions will be made, but at least the price tag of $71,700 actually seems reasonable. So, if you’re in the market for a new luxury SUV and want something with great stripes, ring up your local Land Rover dealer now. With any luck, you should be catching waves shortly.

(Photo credits: Land Rover)

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TheFanciestCat
TheFanciestCat
2 months ago

The Defender accessories are so goofy. Lose the box over the window. Keep Toyota’s stripes.

Ben Novak
Ben Novak
2 months ago

The “death of color”. I laughed when I saw that term – you should consider trademarking it. I think about the lack of color almost every time I drive, especially when I notice oncoming traffic is just a sea of gray shades, barely distinguishable from the asphalt road.

Lokki
Lokki
2 months ago

Suddenly it’s 1978 again

Lokki
Lokki
2 months ago
Reply to  Lokki

Here’s a picture of a 1978 Ford Bronco …with the same stripes

https://tntufftrucks.com/collection/1978-ford-bronco-custom/

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago
Reply to  Lokki

That’s just a far-better looking rig in every single view possible.

CSRoad
CSRoad
2 months ago

The original Toyota stripes were by Molly.
This guy:
https://www.rideapart.com/features/299881/rollin-molly-sanders/

Lardo
Lardo
2 months ago
Reply to  CSRoad

Wow! I never heard of him! A very amazing career. I have the red, orange yellow decals but have not put them on yet. Have the Toyota emblems on. It’s a Chevy Colorado Zr2 and is cosplaying as a Hilux. Mind f’s many a fanboy.

Ham On Five
Ham On Five
2 months ago
Reply to  CSRoad

Thank you for that! Kawaski green … Yamaha strobe … 🙂

TheCrank
TheCrank
2 months ago

And the font is terrible

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago

You want whimsy? You’ll PAY for it, bitch!

Or maybe cuckquean, idk how you roll.

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
2 months ago

$71,700 = Reasonable? The universe is f••ked.

Racer Esq.
Racer Esq.
2 months ago
Cerberus
Cerberus
2 months ago

I know I called for stripes or other kind of graphics to make a comeback, but . . .

Maryland J
Maryland J
2 months ago

It even has a white roof! All it’s missing is a white grille to complete the FJ Cruiser cosplay.

Kinda refreshing to see Land Rover copy someone else, instead of everyone copying them.

Last edited 2 months ago by Maryland J
Nic Periton
Nic Periton
2 months ago

The pillar mounted gearbox is worrying, I know that the world has moved on without me but I still think that gearboxes should, whenever possible, be on the underneath bit of cars. Putting one on the outside seems a bit gimmicky, of course it going to be noisy, and the number of UJs required might be excessive. Maybe as the automotive world moves toward electricity this trend of having a gearbox on display will catch on.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago
Reply to  Nic Periton

It’s got something to do with the new math, and a newfangled perpetual motion device.

Three rights make a wrong, or something like that.

(Three wrights can make it wrought, if that’s what it takes.)

Last edited 2 months ago by Dead Elvis, Inc.
Paul E
Paul E
2 months ago

And Adrian just urped a little in his mouth.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago
Reply to  Paul E

It’s unseemly to do so into another’s mouth.

And entirely impractical, given the usual circumstances.

4jim
4jim
2 months ago

I would need to double take this on the highway to make sure it was not a new land crusier as those stripes are very vintage toyota at a quick glance.

Ffoc01
Ffoc01
2 months ago

Ford just tried to pull this with the Bronco Sport. Nobody wants them either. Thankfully, LR is only making 50 examples.

Nlpnt
Nlpnt
2 months ago
Reply to  Ffoc01

At least those are inspired by the late-1970s Ford “Free Wheelin'” trim package and not another manufacturer’s house style.

Also, aren’t they dealer accessories you can get on any Bronco Sport or Maverick?

Ffoc01
Ffoc01
2 months ago
Reply to  Nlpnt

Unfortunately, it’s a complete vehicle package. Color matched interior, red pocketed wheels, silver painted “chrome” door handles, all factory installed. If it was just the tape stripe, it’d be easy enough to overlook or remove, but it’s the WHOLE package that ends up coming off a bit too strong.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
2 months ago
Reply to  Ffoc01

I think the biggest problem with Bronco Sport Free Wheelin’ package is that it’s too much. The decals cover most of the vehicle. That’s a helluva commitment to a very specific retro style for most buyers.

If Ford had toned it down maybe, and skipped the discordant red accent wheels, it might do better I think. Retro trim like this is best done sparingly – you’ll pick up enthusiasts who “get it” but also regular buyers who just think it’s cool in a reasonable way.

Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
2 months ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

Red wheels?
Where do I sign up?

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
2 months ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

I think you’re onto something – what we’re all thinking of when we think of this sort of thing from back in the day is a white or otherwise light-colored vehicle, so that the colors of the striping really pop.

They don’t look as good on today’s everything dark/gray-scale b/c serious all the time vehicles, which might connect with Rad Barchetta’s observation below maybe.

Last edited 2 months ago by Jack Trade
Kasey
Kasey
2 months ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

You can get the Free Wheelin’ package over white or blue, it looks a lot better than the gray base coat Ford debuted it with.

Gene1969
Gene1969
2 months ago

Seven to ten years from now, someone who owns a ratty Defender is going to find this article and print out the graphics in the picture so they can charge an extra $5,000 on the price.

“It’s one of twenty!”

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
2 months ago

Eh. I’m always lukewarm when manufacturers appropriate other manufacturers’ signatures like this. Not that it’s not allowed or something, and it does look cool for sure, but why not instead do something more historically Land Rover? Or LR adjacent, like a safari theme maybe?

It’s like when you could recently get Dodge Challengers with the over-the-body twin racing stripes aka Shelby stripes. It was a good look, but somehow just a little off on a ’60s inspired Chrysler product.

Nlpnt
Nlpnt
2 months ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

It would be right at home on an ’80s inspired Chrysler product though. And they need one, where’s THEIR retro hatchback New Omni? If they built one I’d seriously consider buying it (just not the first model year), especially if they didn’t lose the plot like Hyundai did making theirs the size of a current RAV4.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
2 months ago
Reply to  Nlpnt

Yeah, that’s true! I’d be super impressed if it’s that deep a cut, as Chrysler has seemingly never acknowledged the existence of the ’80s Charger since it was new.

I wonder though – few normal people would remember the original Omni at this point, so how cool would it be if Chrysler brought back the name on a small hybrid or EV as a way to make a cheap entry-level offering?

Last edited 2 months ago by Jack Trade
Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago

That exterior box on the right rear side is a deeply stupid bit of overlanding cosplay.

Captain Muppet
Captain Muppet
2 months ago

The entire car is a deeply stupid bit of overlanding cosplay.

In deepest England where these things are everywhere I’ve never seen one with dirt on it.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago
Reply to  Captain Muppet

Not dirty? I’m shocked!

/s ⇦ that really should be in a HUGE font

Vanillasludge
Vanillasludge
2 months ago

Those retro Toyota stripes will make you feel better when your air suspension collapses.

ExAutoJourno
ExAutoJourno
2 months ago

The 70s are calling. They want their stripes back.

Rad Barchetta
Rad Barchetta
2 months ago

The stripes say I love sunsets at the beach, but the eyes say I’m really angry about that.

Twobox Designgineer
Twobox Designgineer
2 months ago
Reply to  Rad Barchetta

I agree. And beyond being yet another angry car face, it’s also way too face-y.

PaysOutAllNight
PaysOutAllNight
2 months ago
Reply to  Rad Barchetta

The stripes would be so much better if they weren’t so poorly executed.

The graphics designer must not have been allowed to see the SUV these colors were applied to, because nothing about that decal says “I belong here”.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
2 months ago
Reply to  Rad Barchetta

“I’ve already turned the car around, I’m 5 beers deep & sunburned, you little shits can walk back to the cottage.”

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