Mazda wants customers to know that the new Mazda BT-50 isn’t a clone of the Ford Ranger, even though both have similar underpinnings. Robert Barry reports.
Mazda has launched its new BT-50, and although it has most of the underpinnings of the recently released Ford Ranger, Mazda says it has taken its own route when it comes to the details with three specification grades now available to fleet buyers.
The biggest change from the previous BT-50 line-up is the addition of a new Limited grade double cab 4x4 wellside ute that is solely available with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Unlike the Ford Ranger, Mazda has decided that cruise-control, Bluetooth, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors and keyless entry will be standard across the entire range of GLX single cab and freestyle cab models, as well as the double cab GSX and Limited models. 
This means that council employees and road construction gangs will enjoy the safety benefits of hands-free telephone operation as well as the improved passenger space that the work-a-day BT-50 GLX offers. 
But it’s still a work-focussed vehicle on steel wheels without the cosmetic fripperies of the GSX and Limited. The GLX retains the vinyl flooring that copes with dirty boots and tools and equipment thrown into the cabin. All GLX models are specified with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The GSX specification adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped gear shift knob and steering wheel, fog lamps, chrome mirrors, chrome door handles, aluminium finish side steps, carpet, chrome rear step bumper, and a height-adjustable driver's seat to the package. GSX models offer the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants. 
The automatic only Limited BT-50 4x4 mimics its Mazda passenger car siblings with leather upholstery, dual zone climate controlled air conditioning, rear parking sensors, auto dipping mirrors, auto-headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power fold mirrors and integrated side markers. 
Programme manager for the BT-50, Takasuke Kobayashi, says he wanted to create a completely different kind of ute, one with the personality of a passenger car.
An engineer in utility development at Mazda for more than 30 years, he says in that time he has probably heard more customer feedback on utilities than any other Mazda employee.
“My team developed dynamic styling and equipment levels that match high specification C/D segment cars,” he says.
“We aimed the new BT-50 at people who actively use their utility for business, family activities and outdoor leisure.”
The development of the new vehicle was shared between Mazda in Japan and Ford in Australia. Mazda led the development of the rolling chassis in addition to producing all prototype vehicles, with more than 50 full-time engineers based in Australia as long as four years on the project. 
The design team says it gave the new BT-50 dynamic proportions based on a wedge shape, and adopted styling features that make it immediately recognisable as a Mazda from any angle.
We think it’s a quite a different look for a light commercial vehicle and although the company says it has been well received by its dealer network and current customers, we feel there may be some buyer resistance to the new shape.
The BT-50 2WD models are equipped with dynamic stability control (DSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), traction control (TCS), load adaptive control (LAC) hill launch control (HLC) and electronic brake assist (EBA). 
Other electronic features that are shared with the Ford Ranger include roll stability control (RSC) which monitors vehicle behaviour and brakes individual wheels as necessary to prevent rollover. Trailer sway assist (TSA) senses when a trailer begins to sway and varies the vehicle’s left and right wheel speeds in response.
Every 4WD Mazda BT-50 (regardless of whether its transmission is automatic or manual) has an electronically controlled, shift-on-the-fly transfer case that allows the driver to shift between 2WD and 4WD at any time using a switch located on the floor console. 
The driver can shift between 2H and 4H with the vehicle moving at speeds up to 120km/h and the accelerator pedal released. For shifting between 4H and 4L the driver must stop the vehicle and press the clutch pedal (with a manual transmission) or place the shift lever in the neutral position (with an automatic transmission).

Hill descent control and an electric locking rear differential are standard on all 4WD versions. The driver can activate and deactivate the locking rear differential using an easy-to-reach switch on the centre console.
This is an important differentiating feature for Mazda as the locking differential is only available as standard on Ford’s top Wildtrak Ranger, and is an option on some other models.
When not laden and shod with 265 tyres, the Dual Cab has ground clearance of 237mm, an approach angle of 28.2deg, a departure angle of 26.4deg, and a breakover angle of 25.0deg.
Maximum wading depth is 800mm for 4WD vehicles (up from the current 750mm).
The BT-50 range will be available solely with a new inline five-cylinder 20-valve 3196cc diesel engine which gives maximum power of 147kW/3,000rpm and maximum torque of 470Nm at 1,750–2,500rpm (EEC). This engine is sourced from Ford and is not part of the Mazda Skyactive technologies programme. 
The all-new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous five-speed automatic transmission, the closely spaced gear ratios giving excellent torque from low engine speeds with low emissions and improved fuel efficiency. The transmission has its own control unit, which allows high-speed gearshift control while communicating with the engine control module to enable smooth, precise shifting and respond to the driver’s demands.
Behind the wheel the new BT-50 is quite simply so much more refined on-road and so much easier to drive off-road than its predecessor, thanks to the huge leaps in engine refinement, the reduction of noise vibration and harshness, the much enlarged cabin, and the ease in which the electronics cut-in and assist the driver to cross muddy terrain and traverse safely downhill.
For the media launch Mazda set up an off-road test which included wet grass and forestry tracks at Poronui Station near Taupo.
We came away impressed, and it’s a testament to the vehicle’s locking diff and hill descent control that a group of people who don’t regularly drive off-road were able to pilot the BT-50 through some very challenging conditions.
While the purists may not be in favour of the electronics, I can’t help but think that Mazda has succeeded in building a better truck that will certainly appeal to a new and different audience. 
One final point of difference for the potential BT-50 owner is the new Mazda commercial care servicing package.
During the three-year, 150,000km warranty period any new BT-50 owner can book a fixed price service for their vehicle safe in the knowledge that it will only cost $200 including GST. Scheduled service intervals are six monthly or every 10,000km (whichever occurs first) and Mazda will pick up the balance of any scheduled service cost from the dealer. Mazda also offers a three year unlimited km/24 hour on-call roadside assistance package.