Mazda broadens BT-50 range

Mazda has expanded its new BT-50 range of workhorse utes with new 4x2 dual cab-chassis and automatic transmission 4x2 single cab-chassis XT models.

The 4x4 dual cab-chassis comes with the 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder MZ-CD turbodiesel engine working through Mazda’s manual six-speed gearbox and is fitted out with air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and power windows and mirrors.

The XT dual cab-chassis BT-50 is in Mazda showrooms now and is priced before on-road costs at $34,590.
Not quite on sale yet is the six-speed auto version of the XT single cab-chassis, which is expected to “hit Mazda showrooms in the coming weeks.”

This variant will also come with the smaller 110kW/375Nm MZ-CD 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel (already seen in the Ford Ranger), along with Hi-Rider suspension, and all the regular XT equipment fitout.

And there’s more, with the top-of-the-range dual-cab 4x4 GT BT-50 now getting a little boost with the addition of an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat to an already comprehensive list of standard gear.
Mazda says the new models “have been introduced in direct response to customer demand.”

Mazda Australia’s national marketing manager Alastair Doak said: “We’ve been delighted with the response to the all-new BT-50 and with buyers now making the dual cab the most popular body style and showing increased demand for automatic transmissions, we thought it was important to listen to that and broaden our line-up accordingly.”

Mazda, with 4,734 sales of the BT-50 year-to-date, is currently lagging behind Ford’s jointly-developed Ranger workhorse which has recorded 5,245 sales so far this year. The segment is being convincingly led by Toyota’s HiLux which, at the end of May, had recorded 15,104 sales for the year so far, comfortably ahead of Nissan’s Navara at 10,146 sales and the Mitsubishi Triton’s 7,500 sales.