Mazda BT-50 offered with upgraded infotainment

MAZDA Australia will now offer BT-50 owners a new infotainment experience courtesy of an Alpine-sourced head-unit and speaker package.

But the upgrade does not come cheap. Mazda advertises a recommended fitment price of $3447 for the head-unit and $1495 for the speakers, totalling $4942. Mazda Australia says the unit may be retrofitted to selected existing BT-50 models.

Dubbed as a Premium Infotainment Upgraded, the bundle replaces the standard Mazda 9.0-inch infotainment array with an 11.0-inch WXGA high-definition laminated touchscreen head-unit fitted with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The unit also features downloaded HEMA maps, in-built Tidal Hi-Resolution audio streaming app, dual USB-C, HDMI, and auxiliary inputs, giving BT-50 customers what Mazda describes as a “variety of options to connect their personal music devices”.

Mazda says the system’s audio amplifier is specifically tuned for the BT-50’s cabin and feeds a 300-watt speaker system with two replacement speakers taking the place of the factory front door units. Tweeters are housed in “exclusively designed” sail planes in the A-pillars.

The new Premium Infotainment Upgrade accessory package is available on XTR cab-chassis, GT pick-up, SP pick-up, Thunder pick-up, XTR pick-up, and XTR LE pick-up grades and is backed by a five-year warranty when fitted as part of a new vehicle purchase.

“Already the complete package, the Mazda BT-50 now offers owners an even more enjoyable in-car experience,” said Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak.

“This new Premium Infotainment Upgrade package is ideal for drivers who enjoy high-quality car audio, and it’s an ideal companion for longer trips on the open road.”

The infotainment upgrade is announced just a week after Mazda Australia detailed changes to the BT-50 line-up that include the addition of Rough Terrain mode to four-wheel drive variants, and the addition of remote start and a cab-chassis body style for the GT grade.

Further, XTR grades and above now offer the ability for accessories such as lights and the audio system to remain powered after engine shut-off, ensuring what Mazda says is extra convenience when setting up camp or pausing during extended road trips.

Elsewhere, XS and XT variants also now gain auto relock functionality for “added convenience and peace of mind”, a feature already fitted as standard on XTR grades and above as part of the keyless entry system.

The revised Mazda BT-50 range is priced from $35,520 plus on-road costs (unchanged) with the newly introduced GT dual-cab chassis available from $61,260 + ORC. SP 4x4 grades increase in price by a modest $30.

Mazda’s BT-50 currently ranks fifth within the Pick-up/Cab-Chassis 4x2 segment with year-to-date (YTD) sales of 1117 units. It is also placed fifth within the Pick-up/Cab-Chassis 4x4 segment with YTD sales of 3962 units.

The Pick-up/Cab-Chassis 4x2 segment is currently led by the Toyota HiLux (2234 unit sales YTD) ahead of the Isuzu D-Max (2157), Ford Ranger (2001), and Mitsubishi Triton (1159), while the Pick-up/Cab-Chassis 4x4 segment is topped by the Ford Ranger (19,329) which leads the Toyota HiLux (14,949), Isuzu D-Max (8170), and Mitsubishi Triton (5002).