Mazda BT-50

The successor to the Mazda Fighter is now in Malaysia and has the new model designation of BT-50. According to Mazda, the new designation is not derived from the model code (which is UV5WMM1) but refers to the B-Series Truck heritage (BT); the number "50" reflects that this one-ton vehicle is optimally positioned between smaller payload trucks (e.g. half-ton) and much larger trucks. It is also in line with Mazda's global strategy of alphanumeric model designation.

It’s no secret that the BT-50 is Mazda’s version of the Ford Ranger since Mazda and Ford are in the same group and have shared some model development since the late 1970s. In fact, back then, Ford basically cloned a Mazda pick-up for sale in Asian markets but in the mid-1990s, the two companies jointly worked on new truck and SUV products rather than one doing all the work and the other just putting its own badge on. Thus, it cannot be said that the BT-50 is a clone of the latest Ranger or vice-versa as both companies were involved in the development and even the plant in Thailand that makes the BT-50 and Ranger is jointly owned by Ford and Mazda.

What differentiates the BT-50 from the Ranger is the styling, and it is clear that with the Mazda, the ‘Zoom-Zoom’ philosophy requires a sportier look whereas Ford has kept to its tough truck philosophy. The styling of the BT-50 therefore has more flowing curves and is stylish in its own way. It’s a bigger truck than the Fighter it replaces and also has a bolder appearance but it’s not chunky like the Ranger and there will certainly be people who prefer this sort of look.

Of great significance is the new MZ-DE engine which the most powerful in its class. This is a 2.5-litre turbodiesel with commonrail fuel delivery that enhances performance. The DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine produces 141 bhp and 330 Nm of torque, the latter coming in from as low as 1800 rpm – makes the previous engine a weakling by comparison! Incidentally, the engine has balance shafts and Vibration Reduction Aluminium Stiffeners to cut down noise and vibrations further.

Besides the commonrail system, the other notable aspect of the engine is the Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) which varies the nozzle opening according to running conditions, thereby eliminating turbolag and giving more linear power delivery.

Two transmission options are available – manual and automatic – and both have 5 forward ratios. Yes, 5-speed automatics have come to trucks and the one in the BT-50 is made by a Borg-Warner, a reputable transmission manufacturer.

As with the Fighter, the BT-50 has manually-engaged 4x4 which is engaged either by operating a short lever next to the manual shifter, or a rotary selector if the transmission is automatic. With a 5-speed transmission, there is a choice of ten forward gears as the transfer case has High and Low ranges. That’s two extra ratios from before so virtually any difficult situation should be no problem for the BT-50.

For convenience, the front wheel hubs lock automatically when 4x4 is engaged. No need to get down and get your hands dirty turning the locks in the mud. When 4x4 is not in use, the front hubs freewheel which reduces wear and tear and also fuel consumption since there is less resistance at the front wheels.

Though the BT-50 has Zoom-Zoom sportiness in its looks, the fact that it is a truck was not forgotten by the engineers. It rides on a toughened chassis frame which can handle rough terrain and also heavy loads. For on-road driving, high rigidity, thanks to the unique overlapping cross-bracing in the frame structure, gives better stability and handling.

A Mazda engineer once showed this writer the difference in the structure of the Mazda3 compared to the Ford Focus and Volvos S40 which share the same platform, pointing out how the Mazda3 chassis and additional structural members. Whether the BT-50 structure is exactly the same as the Ranger is uncertain. It is possible that Mazda engineers may have added some other elements in for strengthening as they did with the Mazda3 to endow the vehicle with the Zoom-Zoom character.

The suspension is straightforward and typical of trucks with double wishbones at the front and a live axle with leafsprings at the rear. The leafsprings have a new design are said to be the longest in the class. A lot of effort went into tuning the suspension to provide a more comfortable ride since many buyers of pick-ups like the BT-50 also use them as primary transport. It may even be the ‘family car’ and be used for daily transport so it can’t be like the old trucks which were harsh and bumpy.

With each new pick-up, the cabin appearance becomes more passenger car-like and with the BT-50, you will find that the seats, dashboard and appointments could all be installed in a sedan too. Even the rear accommodation is generous and occupant comfort is provided for. Storage areas are plentiful, as you’d expect in this sort of vehicle and there’s also a pull-out tray in front of the front passenger – good for keeping thin items or even for having your lunch (but better to do so when the vehicle is not moving).Needless to say, you get power windows, central locking and a security system as standard. Incidentally, only the double cab version (assembled in Malaysia) is available for now.

As this is a pick-up, a report would not be complete without mention of its cargo area. The deep cargo box is 1.530 metres long and has a ribbed high-tensile steel floor. The inside faces of the vertical walls have grooves so that shelves and dividers can be slotted in when needed. In fact, it is even possible to create a double-decked cargo bed by placing a wooden sheet that size of the cargo bed which can rest on projections along the sides. Loops are also fitted so that bungee cords or netting can be easily hooked on.

Where manufacturers once didn’t give much attention to the safety of occupants of pick-ups, it’s different today and many safety features found on cars can also be found in the BT-50. Besides having a tough cabin that can meet European collision safety requirements, the BT-50 also has airbags for both front occupants. To help the driver avoid accidents, there’s 4-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution which is especially useful for a truck because it adjusts the brake forces between front and rear according to the load on board. This is particularly important because of the light rear end. There is also a limited-slip differential which helps keep the vehicle under control on very slippery corners.

The BT-50 prices start at RM86,272 for the version with a non-metallic finish and manual transmission and go up to RM91,091 for a BT-50 automatic with a metallic finish (prices including insurance, Peninsula Malaysia). For those who need to know, annual roadtax is RM920 if the vehicle has private registration.

C&C Bintang is offering BT-50 customers an introductory package which uses ‘50’ as the basis: 50 months warranty + 50 months of free scheduled maintenance. That’s a pretty attractive package and while the warranty may never be used (since Mazdas are generally durable and reliable) the free maintenance will save you quite a lot of money for the 50 months after you get the BT-50.