Mazda unveils all-new BT-50 pick-up truck
Mazda has unveiled the third generation of its BT-50 pick-up truck which is now developed in partnership with Isuzu. The new BT-50 should have the well-known capability and reliability of Isuzu light commercial vehicles.
The current and outgoing Mazda BT-50 was developed with Ford and shares its platform and some parts with the Ranger (T6) pick-up truck. The all-new BT-50 also now wears Mazda’s signature Kodo design language but with more truck-like dimensions.
In front, there’s the signature Mazda front grille and headlight design which is seen in the rest of the company’s lineup and surprisingly translates well into a rugged truck. At the back, the truck gets a similar look to the D-Max. That’s not a bad thing as it helps make it look more rugged and definitely looks better than that of the outgoing model.
Inside, the dashboard is nothing like those seen in other Mazda products. There are no sleek and curvy lines here which is appropriate for a rugged pick-up truck. In the center is a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen and climate controls look like they’re shared with the Isuzu D-Max. Other than that, everything else are Mazda parts. The seats are also finished in brown perforated leather.
Under the hood, the all-new Mazda BT-50 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel powertrain from Isuzu. It produces 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque.. It is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Capability and versatility are ensured with a 1000 kg payload capacity and 3500 kg towing capacity.
Safety and driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. It will also be equipped with a center airbag in between the driver and front passenger to adhere to stricter 2020 ANCAP safety standards.
We’ll probably see it in the Philippines a few months after it is launched in Thailand where our local Mazda BT-50 and other Mazda vehicles are sourced. We also have yet to see the local launch of the all-new Isuzu D-Max which it’s based on. It would be great to see the two trucks launched soon.
Images from Mazda Australia.
