Australia and New Zealand will be the first territories in the world to see Mazda’s all-new BT-50 (pictured) Ute, with stock arriving before the end of the year.
Based on Isuzu’s new D-Max and supplied to Mazda on an OEM basis from the Isuzu plant in Thailand, the new BT-50 marks a major step away from long-term commercial partner Ford – with whom Mazda developed the current in-line five-cylinder 3.2 litre turbo-diesel-powered BT-50.
Despite the move away from the Ford ‘mothership’ Mazda NZ boss, David Hodge, is bullish about the future, both of the BT-50 ‘brand’ and the new three-litre/four-cylinder Isuzu-powered model here.
“It’s fantastic to have a completely ‘all- new’ Mazda BT-50 in the New Zealand market for the first time in nine years.”
The look is immediately more conservative and less ‘confronting’ than that of the existing model, something Hodge says is a good thing.
“The exterior of the new BT-50 draws on Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design theme and makes it immediately recognisable as part of the Mazda range of vehicles.
“Also, we believe that its driving performance, functionality and safety will meet the needs of the wide range of situations where our New Zealand customers will be using the ute.”
Since its debut in 2006, the BT-50 has been sold mainly in regions such as Australasia, ASEAN, Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa.
2020 MAZDA BT-50 SPECIFICATIONS
Australasian spec of Double Cab, 4x4 model with automatic transmission.
|
Overall length x overall width x overall height |
5,280mm×1,870mm×1,790mm |
|
Minimum turning radius |
6.1m |
|
Seating capacity |
5 |
|
Max payload |
1,065kg |
|
Towing capacity |
3,500kg |
|
Tyres |
265 60R18 |
|
3.0-liter diesel engine Engine displacement |
2,999cc |
|
Max output |
140kW (190PS)/3,600rpm |
|
Max torque |
450N·m/1,600 - 2,600rpm |
