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AUTO
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Mazda’s new BT-50 starts $3,390 upstream of D-Max sibling but has a cheaper flagship
CALLUM HUNTER
MAZDA Australia has revealed the pricing for its all-new BT-50 off-road pick-up truck, with the Isuzu D-Max-based ute due to hit showrooms from October 1 priced from $44,090 plus on-road costs for the XT Dual-Cab Chassis 4x2.
Th at entry price places the new BT-50 more than $3300 upstream of the equivalent D-Max, despite the two sharing the same architecture, underpinnings and powertrain however the Mazda gets its own back at the top of the range, with the fl agship GT Dual-Cab 4x4 (automatic) topping out at $59,990 compared to the $62,900 D-Max X-Terrain.
Th e BT-50 range is spread across three trim grades, two body styles and two drive types.
Th e most aff ordable of the trim levels is XT with prices ranging between $44,090 and $53,260 depending on the body style – dual-cab chassis vs dual-cab pick-up – and drive confi guration – 4x2 vs 4x4.
Despite being the entry-level trim, Mazda has far from skimped in terms of standard equipment on the XT with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, black cloth seat trim, air-conditioning, power windows, carpeted fl oors, cruise control (automatics score adaptive cruise control with stop and go function), 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay, USB Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio and a reversing camera all included as standard while rear-seat occupants also score a USB charging point.
Above the XTs are the XTR variants which range from $49,470 to $57,210 depending on body style and drive confi guration.
Compared to the XT, the XTRs up the ante with 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors, self-levelling LED headlights, LED fog lamps, 54
side steps, LED daytime running lights, dual-zone climate control, 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite navigation, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, centre armrest for rear occupants and advanced keyless entry in addition to all of the kit included on the base model.
At the top of the BT-50 tree, the GT is available exclusively as a dual-cab pick-up 4x4 with just two variants being off ered – manual or automatic.
Standard equipment
Priced from $56,990, the GT one-ups the XTR with heated chrome exterior mirrors, brown leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, remote engine-start on automatics and front parking sensors.
While the standard equipment list may be generous, it pales in comparison to the list of standard safety gear included on all BT-50s, the same gear that helped the D-Max become the fi rst off -road ute in Australia to achieve a fi ve-star ANCAP safety rating.
Eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, att ention assist, automatic high beam, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, traction control, dynamic
stability control, emergency lane keeping, angle is pegged at 30.4 degrees (XTR emergency stop signal, hill descent 4x4/GT). control, hill launch assist, lane departure Th e XT Dual-Cab Chassis 4x4 – warning, lane departure prevention, marginally – takes the gong for the best lane-keep assist (automatic only), rear rampover angle at 23.9 degrees while the cross-traffi c alert, rollover protection, XT Dual-Cab Chassis twins boast the secondary collision reduction, speed best departure angle of 25.3 degrees. assist system and turn assist are included Maximum braked towing capacas standard on all variants, regardless of ity is rated at the industry standard trim or body style. 3500kg while payload capacity varies
As previously reported by GoAuto, from 1065kg-1106kg depending on the the new BT-50 shares all its underpin- variant. nings, including its engine and running According to Mazda Australia mangear, with the new Isuzu D-Max. aging director Vinesh Bhindi, stock has
Th is means that it sheds the previ- started arriving at dealerships around the ous Ford-sourced 3.2-litre turbo-diesel country and the brand is “very excited fi ve-cylinder engine in favour of the to showcase this new Ute to the local proven albeit updated 3.0-litre four-cyl- market”. inder Isuzu unit developing 140kW and “With cutt ing-edge safety technology, 450Nm. impressive all-terrain performance and a
Drive is sent to either the rear or all smooth and effi cient drivetrain, brandfour wheels via either a six-speed manual new BT-50 off ers exceptional value across transmission or six-speed automatic, with the range, while meeting the demands of 4x4 variants scoring a switchable locking the modern customer,” he said. rear diff erential to boost their off -road With the new model set and ready to ability. be launched next month, Mazda has sold
On the subject of off -road capability, 1967 4x2 BT-50s and 4914 4x4 units, all variants share the same 800mm wad- accounting for 11.9 per cent and 5.1 per ing depth while the maximum approach cent of their respective segments. WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER 2020
