Mazda to tweak BT-50

MAZDA will upgrade its BT-50 4x2 and 4x4 one-tonne utility in September with minor cosmetic changes and a broadened availability of the optional five-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda Australia national marketing manager Alastair Doak told GoAuto last week that the BT-50 will continue being imported from Thailand and that the vehicle “very much fits the in the Mazda range and still satisfies that kind of buyer”.

Built off the same platform as the Ford Ranger, the BT-50 is a refreshed Mazda B-series introduced in 2006 using many carry-over chassis parts but with new engines. An all-new model is not expected until after 2011.

While the BT-50 has improved Mazda ute sales compared with the previous B-series, it is currently running seventh in the VFACTS sales figures for both 4x2 and 4x4 segments in 2008, well behind key competitors such as the Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara.

The 2008 revision, which has already gone on sale in Thailand, includes the front-end with a new bumper moulding with a larger grille that in upper-spec models has a three-step vertical chrome strips instead of two on the current BT-50.

The headlight and turn indicator clusters have a more evident chrome bezel inside the outer lens, but otherwise appear unchanged.

Tail-lights are new with minor change to the lens design to give more space in the lens for a chrome finish, although it continues the keyhole theme of the existing model. Side marker indicators have been moved from the body and are now fitted to the door mirrors, which are a new design.

The interior has also been given minor improvements with a red backlighting instead of green for the instrument cluster and a new trim colour option, camel beige. The steering wheel has been replaced with a new three-spoke design.

Wheels on high-end models are a new five-spoke alloy design, although still measuring 16x7.0-inch with 245/70-section R16 tyres.

While he would not be drawn on specific details for the Australian introduction of revised BT series, Mr Doak said that the BT-50 we will get has cosmetic upgrades and that Mazda Australia will broaden the availability of automatic transmission following customer demand. He cited the example of a mid-range dual cab as the most likely candidate for an automatic transmission option.

Currently only the 3.0-litre SDX 4x4 model is available with the five-speed automatic option.