Last week saw the launch of the latest offering from Ford Motor Company. The first completely new Mazda BT bakkie in 12 years, this one really takes quirky looks to the extreme. With a seriously bold front end, resembling a hungry whale shark and a rear that looks like a lopped off SUV, you are left in no doubt that this bakkie is here to make a statement.
As BT-50 is aimed squarely at the lifestyle/leisure segment, one can never blame the Mazda-ratzzis of leaving you short of choice. 17 different model variants, 3 engine choices and 3 body styles is enough to make your head spin and the level of kit that is standard will convince prospective buyers that they are not buying a bakkie but an SUV with a very large boot. And I think that’s just fine with the folk at Mazda.
This is less a workhorse than a well kitted SUV with a “bak” Your SUV just became more versatile.
The engine options are two Diesel (2.2 & 3.2L) and a 2.5L petrol. The same lumps currently found in the increasingly popular Ford Ranger models. Essentially, as is the norm with Ford/Mazda, the basic platforms are the same with shared componentry all the way from chassis to engine and the like underneath but with different body styles, suspension set up and equipment levels on top.
So whilst they are essentially the same, they are also completely different. The Ranger then, is designed for the man who needs to transport his horse whilst the Mazda is designed for the man who needs to transport his Horse box.
I drove 2.2 MZ-CD (High Power) SLX High Ride 4x2 6MT (110kW/370Nm) and the 3.2 MZ-CD SLE High Ride 4x4 6MT (147kW/470Nm) double cab versions and was impressed with both units. The 2.2L version is the same well proven unit used (in various states of tune) in a number of other vehicles, including the Ford Transit van, various Land Rovers and a couple of Volvo’s and Jags. It is certainly zesty and full of guts and seems pretty good as far of fuel economy is concerned. We averaged around 10km/l during our 300odd km inter town and open road drive, which I feel is more than acceptable for a vehicle of this size. One did need to use the gears fairly often to keep the revs up above the 2000rpm mark where the power starts to kick in.
As I am the sort of guy who prefers a bit of meat on the bone, I naturally gravitated towards the much
meatier 3.2L engine. With 147kW on tap and 470 torques this was my personal favourite. Mated to the super smooth auto box, this should be one of the best combinations around. Overtaking is a breeze and the smooth, long legged 6 speed gearboxes will help to ensure that you won’t have an involuntary flinch every time the oil price blips. It certainly is one of the most powerful diesel units around.
It’s like having a big V8 under the bonnet but without the hassle of having to invade a small Middle Eastern country just so you can afford the fuel.
Three body types are available: Double Cab, the Single Cab, and the Freestyle Cab (extended cab) as have now become the norm with all competitors. The bonus with the Freestyle cab is the outward opening rear doors, as per the Ford Ranger, which gives unparalleled aces to the rear.
Equipment levels and space are superb. Front headroom and shoulder room is extremely spacious, and the Double Cab’s rear passengers enjoy similar conveniences in regard to headroom and legroom. Seats are newly-designed, with the front seats offering greater adjustability.
Plentiful storage spaces throughout the cabin give everybody a place for personal items. Newly-added are a glove box on the driver's side and an overhead console; the passenger's side glove box is larger; the floor console has two cup holders, an armrest and double-decker storage compartment; and the front door pockets have 1-litre bottle holders while the Double Cab's rear seat has a new storage box beneath it.
For entertainment, all Freestyle Cabs (except the 2.2 MZ-CD SLX High Ride 4x2 5 MT Diesel) and Double Cab derivatives have a radio, MP3-compatible CD player and AUX socket as standard, and there’s a Multi-Function Display – 3.5-inch monochrome super-twisted nematic (STN) display for SLE models, 2-line display for SLX models – located at the top of the centre stack to confirm audio operations. Control is via a jog pad surrounded by dedicated buttons. High-performance, 6-inch door-mounted speakers are tuned for accurate sound staging.
For added comfort, there’s a newly-adopted dual-zone automatic air conditioning system. Dial type controls for the left and right hand side feature in-dial displays that show set temperature, and the system’s cooling performance is cold enough to give an Eskimo frost bite.
All body types have been extended in length, width and height from the previous BT-50, giving a roomier cabin, as well as a larger load capacity. Size wise this vehicle now competes with the Nissan Navara. It is really nice and big.
Grooves and channels in the side walls of the load body allow easy installation of dividers or division into an upper and lower cargo area. The BT-50’s impressive towing capability should make short work of towing a boat, trailer or other leisure equipment.
In addition to safety measures specific to pick-ups, the BT-50 is equipped with the advanced safety features found in passenger cars and SUV’s. Good all-round visibility and operability, superior braking performance and a full range of vehicle control technologies.
The major systems are 4W-ABS, TCS and DSC, complemented by the following:
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA): Senses emergency braking and boosts brake power.
Brake Override System (BOS): Automatically overrides the accelerator if brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously.
Load Adaptive Control (LAC): Senses the weight and position of cargo and controls the operation of 4W-ABS, TCS and DSC to maximize braking, traction and stability, and also reduce the risk of roll-overs.
Trailer Sway Assist (TSA): Senses when a trailer begins to sway and varies the vehicle’s left and right wheel speeds in response.
Roll Stability Control (RSC): Monitors vehicle behaviour and brakes individual wheels as necessary to prevent rollover.
Hill Launch Assist (HLA): Keeps brakes applied for up to two seconds after the brake pedal is released on upward inclines.
Hill Descent Control (4WD only): Applies the brakes to keep the vehicle moving at a predetermined speed.
In short, there are more safety systems and kit than you can shake a stick at.
As mentioned, there is a huge model range:
Single Cab
2.5 SL five-speed manual - R190 330
2.5 SL 4x4 five-speed manual 4x4 - R228 070
2.2CD SL five-speed manual - R200 330
2.2CD (115kW) SLX six-speed manual - R266 020
3.2CD SLX six-speed manual - R306 920
3.2CD SLX 4x4 six-speed manual - R306 920
Extended Cab
2.2CD SLX five-speed manual - R231 950
2.2CD (115kW) SLX six-speed manual - R286 420
3.2CD SLE six-speed manual - R361 650
3.2CD SLE six-speed auto - R362 970
3.2CD SLE 4x4 six-speed manual - R398 970
Double Cab
2.2CD (115kW) SLX six-speed manual - R340 480
2.2CD (115kW) SLE six-speed manual - R372 760
3.2CD SLE six-speed manual - R403 560
3.2CD SLE six-speed auto - R414 890
3.2CD SLE 4x4 six-speed manual - R450 890
3.2CD SLE 4x4 six-speed auto - R462 210
As with all vehicles in this segment, prices range from the sublime to the ridiculous.
An added bonus is the fact that all vehicles have, as standard, a 5yr/90 000km service plan, 15 000km service intervals and 4yr/120 000 km warranty as well as 3yr/ unlimited km MazdaMotion roadside assistance.
Now if only the factories can get enough stock to the dealers, the New BT-50 should be a real competitor out there.
