The Mazda BT-50 is in a particularly tricky spot on the South African market, not due to it being an incompetent bakkie, but rather due to the popularity of its Ford Ranger cousin, with which it shares many similar traits. To make it more appealing, Mazda has updated the BT-50 lineup for 2009.
Despite having to play second-fiddle to what is essentially the same product, the BT-50 has shown slow, but positive gains in the light commercial vehicle segment. When it was released in South Africa in July 2007, the BT-50 enjoyed a market share of 4,7 percent, which increased to 5,7 percent by 2008 and in March this year the figure had increased to 6,1 percent.
“The BT-50 has steadily increased its presence in the market place over the last 24 months, this while the market is in a cycle of negative growth. It’s a strong testament to the value and overall appeal offered by the BT-50. For 2009 we have even more on offer, making the BT-50 a real standout in the segment,” says Brendan Lyne, General Manager at Mazda.
The BT-50 range now features an updated front design with a new five-point colour coded grille, and redesigned front fog housing. Newly-designed 16-inch wheels enhance the side profile, while the rear styling has been spruced-up with the addition of a new step bumper and revised roll hoop design.
Three engines are on offer, two turbodiesel powerplants and a petrol unit. The 2,6-litre petrol produces 92 kW at 4 600 r/min and 206 N.m of torque at 3 500 r/min, while the 2,5-litre turbodiesel develops 80 kW at 3 500 r/min and 257 N.m of torque at 2 000 r/min.
The range-topping 3,0-litre turbodiesel engine produces 115 kW at 3 200 r/min and a class-leading maximum torque figure 380 N.m of torque as low as 1 800 r/min. This model is offered with a choice of five-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
Among the interior revisions are the audio system, which now includes an auxiliary output point, and other comfort features include air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking and leather upholstery.
The BT-50 is also one of the safest vehicles in its segment, as it comes with four-wheel ABS and EBD systems, for optimum control, in addition to dual front airbags. Higher-spec models are available with side airbags for head and chest protection. On models equipped with airbags, the front seatbelts adopt a pretensioners and load limiters.
Single Cab
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4×2 R 185 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4×4 R 223 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4×4 (Safety) R 234 600
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLX 4×2 R 240 120
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLX 4×2 R 262 320
Freestyle Cab
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLX 4×2 R 256 870
Mazda BT 50 2500TDi SLX 4×4 R 301 670
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLX 4×2 R 289 900
Double Cab
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4×4 (Safety) R 270 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i SLE 4×2 R 290 360
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLE 4×2 R 302 460
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4×2 R 326 060
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4×2 Auto R 338 060
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4×4 R 370 160
The Mazda BT-50 comes with a comprehensive 4-year/120 000 km Warranty, the MazdaMotion 5-year/90 000 km Service Plan, as well as 3-year Roadside Assistance Plan as standard across the entire model range. Service intervals are every 10 000 km.
