Mazda BT-50: This magnificence is a beast

Mazda proves {that a} pickup could be concurrently highly effective and low-key

WITH THE PRICES of pickups on a steep upward trajectory, they’ve turn into luxurious life-style possessions — a far cry from their humble, utilitarian origins. Hand in hand with this paradigm shift is the metamorphosis in truck styling. It’s now all concerning the swagger: Imply-looking entrance ends, muscular fender flares, large wheels and tires, and a tall experience top that will make any arthritic senior citizen cringe on the prospect of getting out and in.

However what in the event you don’t really need — make that don’t actually need — to show all that angle on the highway? What in the event you don’t actually need to appear like you’re compensating for one thing (wink, wink)?

You mosey on over to your nearest Mazda seller and take a look at the pickup truck that bears the good-looking but understated face and the minimalist, sensual strains that adorn its sedan and sports activities automobile siblings. I’m speaking concerning the Mazda BT-50.

You received’t discover any hint of poisonous masculinity within the BT-50, which marries the distinctive minimalism and sensuous dynamism of the model’s Kodo Soul of Movement design with the sturdiness and flexibility of a strong new platform.

However don’t mistake the BT-50’s minimalism for a scarcity of highway presence. The brand new BT-50’s low-rake hood and pronounced crease strains that reach all the way in which to the facet mirrors endow it with visible dynamism. Flared fenders convey an expression of energy, whereas 18-inch wheels with a two-tone end present a trendy accent.

Extra importantly, the brand new BT-50 is prepared and capable of do the onerous work it’s designed for. The mattress’s large 1,530mm opening, 490mm depth, and 1,571mm size make the pickup a flexible hauler for cargo of assorted sizes and shapes (all variants include a normal bedliner). The 4×4 additionally has a purposeful roof rail.

Echoing Mazda’s premium course, the brand new BT-50’s SUV-like cabin is fabricated from high-quality supplies that present consolation and comfort for all occupants with out sacrificing sturdiness and performance. From the upscale sprint to the sculpted door panels, the BT-50’s cabin exudes a sublime but extremely purposeful end. This consideration to element is matched within the luxurious entrance seats, that are coated in tremendous brown leather-based (within the 4×4) or cool high-quality black cloth (within the 4×2). There are even padded leather-based knee pads and armrests.

Including a contact of sophistication within the cabin are sculpted matte-finish accents that make their means from the doorways to the sprint, together with the gloss end on the air-conditioning bezels. The multi-info show exhibits key data (together with continuously used infotainment controls) inside the driver’s line of sight. Extra nifty options embrace a seat hotter, electrical seat changes for the driving force’s seat, and a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel. Bottle holders within the doorways can maintain a 1.5-liter drink. There are higher and decrease glove compartments, plus entrance and rear USB ports and an auto-dimming rear view. The brand new BT-50 even boasts an infrared-reflecting windshield glass to chop down the warmth getting into the cabin, additional enhancing the effectiveness of the A/C.

A Distant Engine Begin button on the important thing fob allows you to begin the engine from as much as 20 meters away and funky the cabin. It additionally has Keyless Entry and Stroll Away Auto Lock techniques.

The rear seats supply beneficiant area and a car-like reclined backrest, in contrast to different pickups that power backseat passengers to sit down with their backs ramrod straight. In addition they profit from dual-zone A/C by way of air vents. Hidden compartments beneath the rear seats let one stow valuables away from prying eyes.

The brand new BT-50’s nine-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay/Android Auto infotainment system works with 6×9-inch woofers within the entrance and rear doorways, on-dash tweeters, and particular roof audio system to offer an eight-speaker encompass setup.

All three variants of the brand new BT-50 will use Isuzu’s tried-and-tested 4JJ3 3.0-liter four-cylinder intercooled variable-geometry turbo (VGT) diesel engine that develops 190ps and a stout 450Nm of torque from as little as 1,600rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automated.

My BT-50 4×4 check unit is supplied with an electronically managed Drive Selector that includes choices for Two-wheel Drive Low, Two-wheel Drive Excessive, 4-wheel Drive Low, and 4-wheel Drive Excessive. Along with an digital rear differential lock, most contact and traction is achieved even on free and undulating surfaces. Negotiating downhills can also be simple with the brand new BT-50’s Hill Descent Management. The brand new BT-50 sports activities a floor clearance of 240mm and a wading depth of a mighty spectacular 800mm.

On the highway, the BT-50 exhibited spectacular refinement, particularly by way of NVH. Wind, highway, and engine noise are successfully suppressed. The one giveaway that you simply’re driving a pickup truck is the experience that’s noticeably stiffer than any automobile’s (however definitely not any harsher than its pickup rivals). Flooring the throttle, nonetheless, and this truck will embarrass a variety of different so-called efficiency vehicles. The 190ps and 450Nm of torque will try this. Fortunately, the dealing with and braking are greater than able to coping with all that energy.

The BT-50 is supplied with Mazda Energetic Security Know-how (MAST) pre-crash security options reminiscent of Adaptive Cruise Management, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning System, Ahead Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Site visitors Alert, Digital Stability Management, Auto Excessive Beam Management, and automated wipers. The BT-50 can also be geared up with seven air baggage, together with a driver’s knee air bag and entrance facet air baggage.

A giant perk of Mazda possession is its five-year free service plan. As with each different new Mazda, the plan covers all PMS prices at both six-month or 10,000-kilometer intervals, for as much as 5 years or 100,000 kilometers. The truck has a three-year bumper-to-bumper guarantee.

The brand new Mazda BT-50 begins at P1,390,000 for the three.0 4×2 MT and tops out at P1,790,000 for our 3.0 4×4 AT check unit. There may be really additionally a restricted 3.0 4×4 AT Pangolin Version that goes for P1,858,000.

The Mazda BT-50 is the right truck for those who need to stand out for the alternative motive — understated, good-looking, but highly effective sufficient to rival and even disgrace a lot of its rivals. For me, macho vans are the embodiment of the sweaty dude within the health club who retains flexing his muscle tissue and himself within the mirror. The BT-50 is Dwayne Johnson in a tailor-fit go well with. I do know which one I’d prefer to be behind the wheel of.