AIMS: BT-50 goes upsized and up-market

Mazda has taken the styling, comfort and Zoom Zoom of its passenger cars and injected them into a full-size one-tonner. Born of the same mechanicals as Ford's new T6 Ranger (see spearet story), according to Mazda the new BT-50 is set not only to break new ground for the Japanese marque but also create a whole new vehicle type.

Indeed, the market hype was piled deep around the new BT-50 at its reveal in Sydney in the lead up to the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) this week. Mazda says the vehicle announces a "brand new direction in the utility market." It's therefore dubbed the vehicle variously as: an "Active lifestyle vehicle"; and its very own "Sophisticated Beast".

Larger in every key dimension than the existing BT-50 – and a match to the largest in the class by eye -- the new vehicle features unique-to-Mazda styling. The handiwork of a team headed by Chief Designer Ryo Yanagisawa, the BT-50 clearly expands on the design DNA of the brand's CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers.

Key elements shared with Mazda's passenger car range include the signature flared front guards (Dynamic Prominent Fender in Mazda speak) and Mazda's latest five-sided grille graphic.

According to Yanagisawa the design predates Mazda's latest Kodo design language (illustrated in the Shinari showcar) but features "fundamental similarities". The designer stated the last generation BT-50's connection with Mazda brand DNA was "somewhat weak", this vehicle he says breaks out of the zone of its competitors thanks to "a fusion between sportiness and pick-up truck".

Lyrical waxing aside, the result is a ute that's is genuinely far from the norm in terms of the truck-like styling that dominates light commercial vehicles. Even more than Mitsubishi's Triton, the BT-50 has substantial drama to its bodysides and the bonnet and nose are sculptured enough to give aftermarket bar and offroad suppliers conniptions. Indeed, in many ways, save for its XXL dimensions and ladder-style underpinnings, new BT-50 has more in common in the way it looks with the passenger-derived ute arena Holden and Ford have made their own Down Under.

This is especially the case with the interior – one that could almost have been transplanted from one of Mazda's passenger cars. The dash, centre-stack and centre console all flow into each other – as do the door sides and door bins, etc -- just as they do in a conventional sedan. Banished from the BT-50 are the upright individual elements which we expect from an LCV. The interior is also markedly different from its Ranger kin.

Yanagisawa says Mazda wanted to deliver "a more sophisticated, high-grade sportier interior", Ford on the other hand has focused on 'Tough Truck' themes. At first glance at least it's mission accomplished for both marques.

Mazda is bing extremely tight-lipped on any other details. Even global boss and CEO Takahashi Yamanouchi, in Sydney for the reveal, deffered to his PR staff when asked questions on the new ute. Most facts and figures including full drivetrain details will not be made public until closer to the start of the BT-50's mass production (in Thailand) around June next year.

Mazda maintains the vehicle is "all-new" and that its Australian model range will feature new diesel-only drivetrains. It is not known whether the Mazda will have access to the 470Nm inline five-cylinder turbodiesel Fords has revealled will grace the Ranger.

Mazda's new generation SKY-D high tech passenger car diesels will not feature in this vehicle -- that much Yamanouchi-san admitted. That said the need for better fuel economy and ever increasing emission requirements dictate that the vehicle won't go backwards.

What we can tell you from a quick look at a very early hand-built pre-production car is that along with its Ford twin-under-the-skin Ranger the BT-50 is likely to set new safety standards for the class. For instance, the crewcab display car offered up at the BT-50's Sydney reveal has indications that not only will front and passenger airbags be fitted but also head-protecting seat bags and side curtain bags.

Hill descent control will be included in the specification, as well as the main safety step forward, stability control.

Mazda is betting on the new BT-50 expanding its appeal – especially in the private market where increasingly dual-cab 4x4 utes are replacing family cars and/or are used for work during the week and family/lifestyle activities on the weekend. With this in mind the higher emphasis on safety is commendable. Just what it will do to pricing is yet to be seen.

Mazda Australia boss Doug Dickson is confident the BT-50 will be "price competitive" though he's not letting the cat out of the bag on the company's grade or specification strategy. He says Mazda is keen to retain its share of the diesel 4x2 single-cab ‘fleet' and 4x4 tool of trade markets, but sees most of the new BT-50's upside coming at the high-spec dual-cab lifestyle end of spectrum.

Given Mazda's BT-50 supply is likely to be restricted – at least during the production ramp up through to 2012 – don't be surprised to see Mazda's model mix and marketing messages favouring the higher margin 'lifestyle' models first up.

For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims

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