Mazda BT-50 ute single-cab exposed
Two-door versions of all-new BT-50 utes could arrive in Australia by year’s endThe all-new Mazda BT-50 ute has only been revealed in dual-cab guise – until now.
Images of the price-leading circa-$30K Mazda BT-50 XT single-cab chassis 4x2 model have been published by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) this week ahead of its official release by Mazda Australia.
As part of its safety assessment of the new Mazda BT-50 ute, which was awarded a maximum five-star rating and is now one of the safest utes available in Australia today, ANCAP revealed images of the single-cab and space-cab (aka Freestyle) utes.
Mazda Australia wouldn’t comment on the images but a spokesperson for the Japanese car brand told carsales the new models could arrive in Aussie showrooms in time for Christmas, which is earlier than the company had anticipated.
“We have nothing to announce yet, but are hoping to have more models here by the end of year,” the spokesperson said.
ANCAP published the ute images as part of its technical rescue sheet, a new requirement of the safety authority’s testing regime designed to help first responders assess vehicle hardpoints and critical elements in the event of a crash.
Further details revealed by ANCAP show single-cab and space-cab versions of the Mazda BT-50 will be offered only in entry-level XT trim at launch, where the space-cab was previously available in mid-spec XTR guise.
Both 4x2 and 4x4 versions of the base-grade vehicles will be offered and they look to be high-ride models, while space-cab variants will get a handy 730 litres of cargo space in the cabin.
The Mazda BT-50 ute is mechanically identical to the Isuzu D-MAX and if single- and space-cab versions of the latter are any gauge, the Mazda will be powered by the same gutsy 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (140kW/450Nm) as the rest of the range.
This should ensure a 3500kg towing capacity is continued across the range.
All BT-50 utes will be fitted with the latest safety features, with ANCAP test data showing single-cab and space-cab models get the full complement of eight airbags, including a central front airbag, along with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that can detect vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and apply the brakes automatically, even if the driver fails to react to a potential collision.
Other safety features include lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, lane departure warning and a multi-collision braking system to avoid a secondary impact.
Although 4x4 dual-cab utes tend to be the big sellers in most ute line-ups, Mazda’s entry-level models will add important incremental volume for the brand and appeal to a broader target audience such as the more price-sensitive tradie and agricultural sectors.
Expect full details to be announced soon.
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