Mazda BT-50: Room to zoom
Mazda releases interior pic of its bigger, "all-new" BT-50 and indicates it will build-in plenty of lifestyle attributesIf we are to believe everything we are seeing and hearing, Mazda's next-generation BT-50 ute has the makings of becoming a standout workhorse for the company when it is launched at the Australian National Motor Show in Sydney this month.
Following the recent release of fanciful renderings of the new ute, Mazda has just given us a teaser view of an actual interior that appears to live up to promises of being less commercial and more sports sedan in layout and appearance.
The single image provided by Mazda shows a curvaceous, feature-laden dash that clearly separates driver and passengers to provide a cockpit-style feel with a large centre console and a wraparound instrument display.
Presenting the new BT-50 as an "Active Lifestyle Vehicle" rather than a workhorse ute, Mazda says "An enhanced instrument panel offers improved readability of the driver-oriented meters and advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) techniques have been adopted throughout the development process ensuring that operation of all controls and switches is both comfortable and intuitive."
The new BT-50 is said to move well away from what Ford is planning with its co-developed T6 Ranger, with Mazda focussing more on lifestyle aspects to fit with its sporty "Zoom-zoom" orientation.
The press material accompanying the photo gives little real detail of the new BT-50, but expectations are it will feature a live, leaf-spring rear axle and will be offered in turbodiesel form.
The current BT-50 offers two four-cylinder turbodiesels: a 105kW/330Nm 2.5-litre and a 115kW/380Nm 3.0-litre. Manual and auto five-cylinder transmission are available.
Rumours also say the new BT-50 will grow in size compared to the current series, stretching out to compete with the likes of Toyota's HiLux.
Although the current BT-50 is available in single-cab, "Freestyle" and dual-cab form, Mazda is saying nothing except the new model will be available as a 4x2 or a 4x4 and "provide a realistic alternative to the family wagon and 4x4 SUV."
The full story will be revealed at the opening of the motor show in Sydney on October 15, so stay tuned for all the details.
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