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

Offroad
The torquey new engines promise better offroad lugging but with no major chassis or 4WD system (conventional 2H, 4H, 4L by lever) changes the BT-50's outright ability is likely to be exactly the same as the old Bravo. Of course, we won't know until we test in Australia, as the 'offroad' part of our Thai test drive was little more than a splash through a puddle. With a longer rear leaf, rear suspension travel may be a little better - Mazda's claims are of a more compliant ride - but up front, the torsion bar suspension's lack of droop travel will remain the limiting factor in the rough.

The old Bravo's intercooler position was criticised for being vulnerable, mounted low down in wombat, roo and rock zone and we've seen Bravo 'coolers cut into by the back side of its own bumper. The new one looks to be even lower, but it now has a protective mesh screen.

With the move to drive-by-wire throttle control, there's no more hand-throttle in Bravo but after prototype testing in Australia (Flinders Ranges in SA and Browns Mountain and the Snowies in NSW) towing capacity has been lifted to a very useful 3000kg.

In summary

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With all-new models from Nissan and Toyota in the last year, a new-generation Mitsubishi Triton already on the boat and tough adversaries in Holden's older Rodeo and D22 Navara, the Mazda BT-50 will be up against some stiff competition when it arrives late this year. The new engines are a huge improvement and the tweaks to the chassis are worthwhile - as is the new dash and appearance - but keen pricing will be a large factor in putting BT-50 on more buyer's shopping lists.

 

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