Vehicle Tests > B-ute-y Treatment: Mazda BT-50

At the media launch, Mazda execs spoke of matching or exceeding arch-rival HiLux and Rodeo's onroad performance with lower fuel consumption. While it's down on HiLux's power (5kW) it's up on torque by nearly 10 percent and blitzes the Rodeo's 96kW/280Nm. Navara D40's output of 125kW/405Nm was conveniently overlooked...

Behind the new diesels is a heavily revised five-speed gearbox. The Bravo's elderly chassis has been retained but Mazda has lengthened the rear leaf springs by 120mm and - thankfully - improved the dampers. The front inner control arm bushes are also revised.

Safety has been improved with the addition of electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and side airbags. Although front airbags have been available in V6 Bravos (and equivalent Fords), bang bags will be new to Aussie-spec diesels. Height-adjustable B pillar seatbelt points will be a feature of Double-Cabs and seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters will add to safety on airbag-equipped models. A big red cross - no centre rear three-point seatbelt.

Absent from this first drive was automatic transmissions and the recently-released 4.0-litre V6 (154kW at 5250 and 323Nm at 3000rpm). The V6 models are assembled in South Africa from Thai parts. and it seems likely the 'old' V6 will sell alongside the new until mid-2007 when SA comes on-line with the new model. Expect autos around the same time.

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Onroad
Mazda introduced us to the new BT-50 in Thailand. Our first meeting was with Thaispec models that differ from Aussie ones with respect to suspension tune (softer for Thailand) tyre choice (same) airbag fitment (none) and interior trim (colour). We sampled the 2.5L in the 2WD models, but of greater interest is the 3.0L that will be fitted to 4WDs. As you would expect of a revised model rather than an all-new design, the BT-50 is the same... but different. Performance-wise, the new one chews the old one up and spits it out and I'll venture to say that even with soft Thai suspension, the more effective damping allows the BT-50 to steer with greater precision than before despite its old-school steering box. It's not as precise as the rack and pinion setups found in just about anything else though, with a 'where are we?' feel to the steering a few degrees either side of dead centre and a low overall ratio. It does, however, cushion the driver against cornering kickback - and with the sorry state of some of Thailand's roads matching Australia's, that's not a bad thing.

Mazda claims to have spent plenty of time reducing the BT-50's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) with attention paid to engine mounts, door rubbers and door mirror shape and yep, you can feel and hear the difference.

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