TINASHE MAKICHI
The 2018 Mazda BT-50 has been given a bolder front-end look, upgraded equipment and an improved cost of ownership but the biggest question is if it can be competitive in this hard-fought segment.
This latest beast shows that it can still pack a mean blow but it just lacks the pep of some of the young up-comers in the dual-cab market. The dual cab segment continues to grow and doesn’t look like stopping either but it remains surprising then that the Mazda is missing so much. It does, after all, share some of the same heritage as the class-leading Ford Ranger. Both came on the scene around the same time.
“Imagination is the world’s most valuable resource. It’s our window to the future, because if we can imagine it, we can create it.
Mazda is built on a foundation of imagination and ingenuity. It’s the fuel behind all we create and achieve. It has given us countless successes that once existed only in someone’s imagination,” Mazda said.
The new Mazda BT-50 is built tough to take on any task, and does this in style. It delivers grunt when you need it, and refined comfort with every drive.
Fill it with gear, pull a load or take it off road.
The vehicle in the Zimbabwe market to some extent showed that it can compete when it was roped in on former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s motorcade before his elevation to the top office.
According to Mazda, as a workhorse or a weekend warrior, it’s always up to the challenge. Smart connectivity, navigation and driver aids mean BT-50 is clever as well as capable.Its spacious cabin is a stylish surprise, with a level of passenger comfort that makes it feel more like a car. And it’s all protected with advanced safety features like airbags and Dynamic Stability Control.
Equipped for work, play and everything in between, BT-50 can do it all. When it comes to Mazda BT-50, looks are just the beginning.
Built for fun as much as it is for hard work, the exterior is bold and adventurous. With its refined features, it’s a cut above others in its class. Styled with tough lines to match its solid capabilities, the bold new front is strong and powerful, for a commanding street presence. The slightly lowered angle towards the front gives it a sense of forward motion – and the perfect balance of strong and sleek.
When it comes to performance, Mazda BT-50 brings the goods. Built tough from the ground up, its ladder-frame chassis provides reinforcement for maximum rigidity.
The resulting stability can be felt in car-like handling, while the powerful engine makes towing light work. BT-50 is capable of pulling an impressive 3 500kg.
Powered by new generation turbo diesel engines, you get more muscle from less fuel. Harnessing the power is up to you – choose from a rugged 6-speed Manual for complete control, or a versatile 6-speed Auto that also allows for smooth and intuitive gear changes.
Feel the power of a five-cylinder engine with common-rail direct injection and inter-cooling. Pumping out 147kW and 470Nm of torque from just 8,9 litres per 100 km2 (combined), you get power and efficiency together.
Standard across all models, the LRD maximises off-road grip by locking the rear wheels so both receive the same amount of torque. So even when one wheel has lost traction, the other provides drive.
In this vehicle you can enjoy the smooth ride of a 6-speed manual that delivers fluid precision-shifting ratios and transition through gear changes with ease for a true sense of control over your vehicle’s performance. The Mazda BT-50 comes with superior performance and fuel efficiency – perfect for those weekend getaways.
Take on the toughest tasks effortlessly, thanks to advanced common-rail direct injection. Boosted by a lag-reducing variable geometry turbocharger, the punchy 3,2 litre engine gives you 147 kW of power and a whopping 470 Nm of torque to easily overpower any challenge.
Equipped with power and backbone, BT-50 has an enviable towing capacity of up to 3 500 kg. Don’t be afraid to give it heaps -depending on the model, it has the capacity to take on payloads of up to 1 506 kg.
Feel confident driving a vehicle that’s big on safety. Driver support begins with a rigid ride and accurate handling, giving you the capacity to avoid potential hazards. In the event BT-50 does run into trouble, it’s well equipped to deal with it.
The reinforced body shell is fitted with front airbags and head-protecting curtain airbags in all models. Freestyle and Double Cab models also come with the addition of side (front)airbags. And all seats feature three-point lap-sash seat belts. In 4×4 models, Hill Descent Control automatically applies brakes to maintain a steady, low speed down steep slopes.
Control is greatly enhanced, particularly in off-road conditions. Roll Stability Control monitors your driving data and applies appropriate measures to help prevent rollover. And when your cargo raises BT50’s centre of gravity, you’ve got Load Adaptive Control for extra stability.
Dynamic Stability Control helps keep traction in all conditions, managing the engine power and braking force delivered to individual wheels to avoid skidding or loss of grip. ABS brakes feature Electronic Brake-force Distribution which matches braking to vehicle load, while Emergency Brake Assist boosts stopping power when emergency braking is sensed.
