New Mazda BT-50 tough-truck options coming

Mazda has gone all out on what’s set to be one of the most extensive range of genuine accessories available for a new ute.

The Japanese brand has announced it will offer more than 100 genuine accessories for the new Mazda BT-50 when it arrives in October, and all of them will be backed by the same five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the vehicle when fitted at the time of purchase.

As with its rivals, Mazda says many of the new BT-50's accessories are locally-developed specifically for Australian conditions.

But the new Mazda BT-50 will offer more accessories than the facelifted 2021 Toyota HiLux, for which more than 60 genuine accessories will be available, also backed by Toyota's five-year/unlimited-km factory vehicle warranty if installed by a Toyota dealer from purchase.

The new Mazda BT-50 will also eclipse the vehicle on which it's based, the 2021 Isuzu D-MAX, when it comes to not only genuine accessory options, but their warranty cover.

When it goes on sale tomorrow (September 1), more than 50 genuine accessories will be available for the new D-MAX -- all tested and developed for local conditions and compatible with the new ute's IDAS safety systems, but backed only by a three-year/100,000km parts and accessory warranty (not the D-MAX's six-year vehicle warranty).

2021 Mazda BT-50 revealed

Mazda doesn’t offer 'tough-truck' ute model off the shelf, like the Toyota HiLux Rugged X or Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior, but it seems the plethora of factory accessories on offer for its new BT-50 will virtually transform the ute into a butch adventure machine.

It starts with the premium high-grade steel bull bar with a black finish, which Mazda has dubbed ‘The Queensland Bar’ as it was developed for “heavy-duty applications like those found in the far north” says the company.

The bull bar comes with headlight protection hoops, a lower bash plate and integrated fog lights and indicators. It also allows the BT-50’s driver assistance and safety systems -- such as adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors and airbags -- to function properly.

Mazda says the locally-developed bull bar has gone through extensive durability testing and comes with various mounting points for spot lights and light bars, all of which Mazda offers as genuine accessories too.

Chuck on Mazda’s premium rear black-finished sports bar and a set of black 18-inch alloy wheels, side steps, snorkel and a hard tonneau tray cover, and the only thing missing in a fight with the circa-$70K Toyota Rugged X is a suspension lift kit.

Mazda says it will reveal the full range of accessories once the all-new Mazda BT-50 launches in October, but expect more bull bars, nudge bars, tow bars, roof racks, light bars, seat covers and a range of fittings to carry bicycles, skis and kayaks.

And most Mazda-branded accessories will be completely different to those offered in its twin-under-the-skin, the Isuzu D-MAX, even if both utes share their mechanical and electric systems.

Using Isuzu’s all-new ute ladder platform, the Mazda pick-up features a flash new interior with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus all the usual stuff including six-speed manual and automatic transmissions and 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines, the latter with 2H, 4H and 4L modes and a locking rear diff.

Power comes from Isuzu’s new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (140kW/450Nm), which means less mumbo than the outgoing Ford Ranger-based BT-50's previous five-cylinder diesel engine (147kW/470Nm). But it still delivers a 3500kg towing capacity and Mazda reckons the new BT-50 is faster because it's lighter and has a wider spread of torque.

Ute accessories are lucrative business for car-makers in Australia, generating significant profits especially from dual-cab pick-up buyers.

“With an extensive Mazda Genuine Accessories range available from launch, the new BT-50 can be tailored to suit the job at hand, whether at work or play,” said Vinesh Bhindi, Mazda Australia managing director.

“The commercial vehicle segment is of vital importance to Mazda Australia, and a strong accessories offer brings further customer personalisation opportunities.

“With its modern yet tough design and class-leading safety, brand-new Mazda BT-50 has moved the game on, particularly in terms of design and safety,” said Bhindi.

Prices for the new Mazda BT-50 will not be confirmed until mid-September, roughly two weeks before its Australian showroom arrival, but are expected to be higher than the current model's.

The outgoing Mazda BT-50 dual-cab is priced from under $40,000 for the entry-level XT 4x2 manual cab/chassis, rising to $63,250 for the top-shelf Boss 4x4 auto pick-up. Single-cab and Freestyle extended-cab version of the new BT will arrive next year.