Mazda ute to D-Max
Mazda has revealed its new Isuzu-based BT-50 ute, reports Damien O’Carroll.
Mazda has revealed the allnew BT-50 ute that will arrive in New Zealand later this year. Rather than being based on the Ford Ranger, as the previous incarnation was, the new BT-50 shares its underpinnings with the all-new Isuzu D-Max that was also expected to arrive shortly but has been delayed until later this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new BT-50 will be powered by Isuzu’s upgraded 3.0-litre fourcylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque from as low as 1600rpm.
This puts it down slightly on the outgoing model’s 147kW/470Nm Ford 3.2-litre five-cylinder unit, as well as Ford’s latest 157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four.
However, the new BT-50 is said to be lighter than the current ute, so Mazda is saying that performance is expected to be the same, if not better.
With a wheelbase of 3152mm and an overall length of 5280, width of 1870mm and height of 1790mm, the new BT-50 is more or less the same size as its ex-sibling Ranger, while it will also sport the segment-expected 3500kg towing capacity and one tonne (1065kg to be precise) tray payload.
Along with its flash new interior, the BT-50 will also be available with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind zone warning, rear crosstraffic alert, and lane-keeping assist
Crucially, the adaptive cruise control will use twin cameras in the windscreen as opposed to a radar sensor in the grille, so fitting a bullbar or driving lights won’t be a problem.
On the inside the BT-50 will get a centre airbag – a first for a ute – as well as dual-zone air-conditioning, push-button start and keyless entry, heated seats, twin glove boxes and a 9-inch touch screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And, in something sorely missing from a lot of utes, it will also get a height and reach adjustable steering wheel.
Then, of course, there are the looks. Mazda caught a lot of flack from the last BT-50’s swoopy styling, but has smashed it out of the park this time with the handsome and distinctly Mazdafamily look of the new one.
‘‘The exterior of the new BT-50 draws on Mazda’s ‘Kodo – Soul of
Motion’ design theme and makes it immediately recognisable as part of the Mazda range of vehicles,’’ said Mazda New Zealand managing director, David Hodge.
‘‘Its driving performance, functionality and safety will meet the needs of the wide range of situations where our New Zealand customers will be using the ute.’’
Hodge went on to say that it was ‘‘fantastic to have a completely allnew Mazda BT-50 in the New Zealand market for the first time in nine years.’’
Mazda’s move from Ford to Isuzu for a ute partner was announced in 2016, following Ford’s sale of its last small shareholding in the Japanese company the previous year.
Similarly, Ford has teamed up with Volkswagen to develop what will be the next-generation Ranger and VW Amarok, which is currently rumoured to get a hi-tech petrol hybrid drivetrain alongside an updated version of the 2.0-litre biturbo diesel and possibly a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel V6.