Most limited edition cars and trucks are based on the versions with the most: the ones with all the features and all the engines. This is especially the case with luxury car companies. So something like the Land Rover Defender Beach Break is quite a surprise, as it is based on, well, the basics Defender 110, and the price is accordingly. That said, there’s not a whole lot going on here, and what is looks strangely familiar.
The Beach Break is based on the Defender 110 S, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It even sticks with the leather upholstery of that base model, getting only the regular lineup’s Tasman Blue paint and available white-painted 20-inch steel wheels. It does get a unique bundle of accessories that aren’t regularly offered, including a side-mounted storage bin, roof crossbars, side steps and mud flaps. Though the real draw is the set of sunset stripes (with letters that spell out Beach Break) and the fact that Landrover only sells 20 of these models.
Land Rover notes that the name and the colour and graphic themes are all based on the theme of the Pacific beaches. That’s fair, combining blue and white hues with sunset orange and red. We can’t help but notice the striking resemblance to the Ford Bronco Sport Freewheel: another angular, retro, rugged SUV with sunset stripes. ford certainly doesn’t have a monopoly on these kinds of graphics, but it’s a funny similarity.
The Defender is certainly much bigger and more capable off-road than the Bronco sportand chances are the two won’t be crossed. For the person eyeing the Defender Beach Break, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not much more expensive than a standard 110 S. It starts at $73,325. An equivalent 110 S with one of the other accessory packs would come in at a very similar, if not higher, price tag. Potential buyers will have to hurry, though, as 20 units are likely to sell out quickly.