New Mazda BT-50 in showrooms from October

MAZDA Australia has announced its all-new BT-50 pick-up will arrive in showrooms during October.

Compared to the outgoing model which shares its DNA with the current Ford Ranger, the new-generation BT-50 is based on Isuzu Ute’s just-launched D-Max.

This means the new Mazda ute will similarly benefit from wide-ranging improvements made to the D-Max, including standard fitment of a comprehensive suite of active safety features such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

As well as using the same platform as the new D-Max, the BT-50 will be motivated by Isuzu’s heavily reworked 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

This compares to the 147kW/470Nm in the current Ford-sourced 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel. 

Previewing the new BT, Mazda is pointing to its “significant improvement in fuel economy” thanks to the new engine and a noticeably lighter body.

Towing capacity is pegged at the class-standard 3500kg while payload capacity is rated at “over 1000kg”.

The other big talking point surrounding the new BT-50 is its redesigned body and interior, which are unique to Mazda and bring the ute more into line with the rest of the brand’s Australian range.

At the front, the integrated, rounded-off features of the outgoing model are gone and in their place is a boxy, more chiselled look dominated by the new ‘Kodo’ chrome grille, flanked on either side by a set of narrow headlights in typical Mazda fashion.

At the bottom corners of the expansive front bumper are vertically stacked parking lights reminiscent of those found on the newly facelifted Toyota HiLux.

A subtle parabolic line and virtual line created by the headlight surrounds, wing mirrors and doorhandles are also noted.

At the official global reveal of the BT-50 in June, a Mazda Australia spokesperson told GoAuto that Mazda took “the reins on all things design” during development “to ensure the new BT-50 has a distinctly Mazda look and feel”.

Inside the cabin, Mazda has applied its human-centred design ethos to create a “spacious and comfortable” interior.

The seats have a generous amount of bolstering for a pick-up, while a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits centrally in the dashboard, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. 

A full adjustable steering wheel is also fitted to ensure most drivers can achieve their preferred driving position.

“The team has been careful to inject some of that Mazda premium feel into BT-50,” said Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak.

“Just because drivers are going off-road and working in a pick-up truck, it doesn’t mean they can’t be comfortable.”

Mazda has sold 6243 examples of the BT-50 to the end of July, which places it well behind the big players such as the Toyota HiLux (25,295) and Ford Ranger (21,570), but nonetheless stands as important volume for the brand.