Mazda holds BT-50 prices in check

MAZDA Australia has released pricing for its forthcoming BT-50 update with marginal increases right across the 23-strong line-up, but the company says that new spec levels will more than make up for it.

A single model – the entry level 4x2 cab-chassis manual – remains at the same price, while the biggest increase is seen in the XRT 4x4 dual-cab, with a jump of $810.

The range still starts from $25,570 and now tops out at $53,790, plus on-road costs.

“A lot of key customer concerns have been addressed in this mid-lifecycle update to deliver what they want, at a price they want,” Mazda Australia public relations senior manager Karla Leach told GoAuto.

While no specs have been revealed ahead of the vehicle’s launch later in September, the company has said that reversing cameras would be “available” on dual-cab models. An exterior refresh both front and rear, along with new alloy wheels, have also been revealed.

Ms Leach said that the company was looking to expand the BT-50’s appeal, employing a dedicated fleet manager to look at opportunities in smaller business environments.

“We’re watching the changes in the leasing landscape,” she said, “particularly at a time when user-choosers aren’t limited to just local choices. As well, we want to broaden our base. It’s not just tradies we’re targeting we’re seeing a wider user group, like recreational users, grey nomads towing vans and the like, moving towards the BT-50.”The BT-50 has been on sale in Australia since 2006, and will, according to Mazda, pass through the 50,000 sales barrier by the end of this month. It has sold 9488 BT-50s so far in 2015, with 4x2 sales up 10 per cent year on year and 4x4s up nearly nine per cent.

It currently sits seventh in the sales race in 4x4s, well behind the segment-leading Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and fourth in the 4x2 stakes.

Twenty-three variants will be on offer, including 10 4x2, 13 4x4, five single-cabs, six Freestyle extended single-cabs and 12 dual-cabs.

The same powertrains will be offered across the line, with the choice of a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel offering 110kW and 375Nm for the 4x2 variants, or a 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel producing 147kW and 470Nm.

Both engines are available with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. A recent update to the BT-50’s sister truck, Ford Ranger, included modifications to both transmissions, though it is not known if these changes will translate to the BT-50.

2015 Mazda BT-50 pricing*

4X2
2.2L Single Cab Chassis XT	$25,570
2.2L Single Cab Chassis XT (a)	$28,815
3.2L Single Cab Chassis XT	$28,815
3.2L Freestyle Cab Chassis XT	$32,745
3.2L Freestyle Cab Chassis XT (a)	$34,745
3.2L Dual Cab Chassis XT	$34,745
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XT	$36,545
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XT (a)	$38,545
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XTR	$41,630
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XTR (a)	$43,630
4X4
3.2L Single Cab Chassis XT	$36,850
3.2L Single Cab Chassis XT (a)	$38,910
3.2L Freestyle Cab Chassis XT	$40,815
3.2L Freestyle Cab Chassis XT (a)	$42,815
3.2L Freestyle Cab Utility XTR	$47,675
3.2L Freestyle Cab Utility XTR (a)	$49,675
3.2L Dual Cab Chassis XT	$42,815
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XT	$44,615
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XT (a)	$46,615
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XTR	$49,700
3.2L Dual Cab Utility XTR (a)	$51,700
3.2L Dual Cab Utility GT	$51,790
3.2L Dual Cab Utility GT (a)	$53,790

*Excludes on-road costs