New Mazda BT-50 teased

UPDATED 15/06/2020: Fresh teaser showing the 2020 Mazda BT-50's new LED headlight design before its global debut this week.

The first official image of the 2021 Mazda BT-50 has been released ahead of the all-new ute’s global reveal at 11:00am AEST next Wednesday (June 17).

Posted to Mazda Australia’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, the single teaser image shows the new BT-50 in a shadowy side profile, but it’s enough to confirm it will wear completely different sheetmetal to the upcoming Isuzu D-MAX on which it’s based.

Like the new D-MAX, the Australian release of which has been delayed to September, the new Mazda BT-50 will go on sale here by the end of this year.

The teaser image also indicates the new Mazda BT-50 will emerge first in volume-selling dual-cab 4x4 ute form, with single-cab and extra-cab versions likely to follow.

We’ve written plenty about the new BT-50, which replaces the existing Ford Ranger-based model launched in 2011, and is expected to share the new D-MAX’s beefed-up 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel.

The current Mazda BT-50 is powered by Ford’s 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel – as well as a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in the single-cab 4×2.

Six-speed manual and automatics will be on offer alongside 4×2 and 4×4 systems. The latter will include a two-speed transfer case and a rear locking diff.

Other key numbers the Isuzu and Mazda are expected to share include a 3500kg braked towing capacity and 800mm water fording ability.

The D-MAX measures up at 5265mm long, 1870mm wide and 1790mm high. It has an approximate 1890kg kerb weight and a maximum 1024kg payload.

Both vehicles are also tipped to offer autonomous emergency braking and other driver-assist systems, as well as a new-generation infotainment system with 9.0-inch colour touch-screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Top-spec variants will bring leather seat trim, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start and a digital speedo, while a full range of locally developed accessories will be offered as part of Mazda’s attack on top-selling utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which will be facelifted in August.