Mazda introduces all-new BT-50 pickup

MANILA, Philippines - It’s hard to believe that the first time I saw Mazda’s just-recently released BT-50 pickup, it was still a clay model. That was in 2009–if memory serves me right–and I was at Mazda’s Hiroshima headquarters.

That clay model was the closest to the final production version, at least styling-wise. It even had real shiny paint–although the “tinted” windows were also made of clay. You’d only know if you rapped your knuckles on the “sheet metal” or on the “glass.”

Fast forward three years, and not only is the latest BT-50 a fully functioning real truck, it’s actually something you can buy off the showroom floor (which also gives a glimpse of how impressively fast carmakers can turn a design around from initial sketches to design prototypes to the real thing).

The new BT-50 is available in three variants: the 2.2L Mazda BT-50 4x2 with manual transmission priced at P1,300,000, the automatic transmission at P1,350,000, and the 3.2L BT-50 4x4 with automatic transmission at P1,490,000.

“We are proud to launch the all-new Mazda BT-50 to our loyal customers in the Philippines. We are confident that the all-new BT-50 will become the pickup of choice with its dynamic styling and unmistakable Zoom-Zoom driving character,” said Janinna Mendoza, Marketing Director, Mazda Philippines.

The new Mazda BT-50 breaks fresh ground for pickup trucks, which necessitated a new approach to the styling. A key symbolic phrase for the Mazda design team was “sophisticated beast,” brought to life in the bold, wedge-shaped profile that suggests the coiled power of a lion about to pounce.

The strong, confident face is a clever reworking of several Mazda family design elements, including an evolved version of the five-point grille. In particular, the headlamps feature a boomerang design more typical of a passenger car.

From the side, the new BT-50 represents a revolution in pickup architecture. The class-top length is used to full effect in creating a wedge-shaped profile. The front Dynamic Prominent Fenders are an evolution of the design frequently found on Mazda passenger cars; they continue in pronounced body-side feature lines flowing to the rear, creating a strong-looking contoured form.

The rear is also characterized by a strong horizontal contour line, echoed in the unique horizontally-aligned rear combination lamps. These sophisticated lamps give a sense of motion and speed thanks to a sporty design like the rear lamps on Mazda passenger cars.

The all-new engine lineup consists of 2.2L and 3.2L CRDi diesel engines mated to 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. The 4WD model features shift-on-the-fly switching between 2WD and 4WD, and the available electric locking rear differential promotes off-road drivability.

The inline 4/16-valve MZ-CD 2.2L common-rail direct-injection powerplant is the mainstay of the engine lineup. It delivers 150 ps at 3,700 rpm and maximum torque of 375 Nm at 1,500-2,500 rpm.

The MZ-CD 3.2L engine is Mazda’s first 5-cylinder engine offering large displacement in a compact, highly efficient unit that achieves class-leading power (200 ps at 3,000 rpm/470 Nm at 1,750-2,500 rpm) together with superior fuel efficiency, while suppressing NVH for a quiet and comfortable ride.

Both 2.2L and 3.2L powerplants feature a cast-iron cylinder block with ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, an aluminum cylinder head, maintenance-free chain-driven camshafts, and maintenance-free hydraulic lash adjusters. An advanced ultra-high pressure (1,800 bar) common-rail injector system with precision multi-stage piezo injectors is fitted to all diesel engine variants, with a variable-nozzle turbocharger on the 3.2L and 2.2L units.

The new 6-speed manual transmission optimally positions the short-stroke shift lever for fast, precise gear shifting. Rigid laser-welded synchronizers handle the high torque while ensuring light, positive shift action. In addition, the link-type shifter with decoupling device between the main and selector rails enables a shorter shift lever and shift stroke for a sportier, more passenger-car-like feel. An upshift indicator mounted in the tachometer promotes fuel economy by helping the driver avoid using unnecessarily high engine speeds.

The 6-speed automatic features closely-spaced gear ratios with a wide spread for excellent torque from low engine speeds, along with low emissions and superior fuel efficiency. The transmission has a dedicated control unit for high-speed shift control while communicating with the engine module to enable smooth, precise shifting and excellent response to the driver’s demands.

Advanced shift-control technologies have been adopted from Mazda passenger cars such as the Mazda6. These include Active Adaptive Shift (AAS) and Sequential Shift Control (SSC). AAS optimizes gearshift control in accordance with the driver’s style (learned over time) and driving conditions, while SSC offers Normal and Performance modes plus a Manual mode that allows manual shifting.

The all-new Mazda BT-50 is engineered to give the comfort of a passenger car along with SUV-like handling. Front suspension is a double-wishbone layout with coil springs and the rear is a rigid axle with leaf springs, giving superior ride comfort regardless of load and road conditions. Optimized front suspension geometry and enhanced rear suspension rigidity promote sure, stable handling. Newly-adopted rack-and-pinion steering features a rigid mounting structure for a direct feel, while a quicker gear ratio and increased steering angle give near-class-topping maneuverability. The ladder frame is re-engineered for greater rigidity, while the cab mounts are redesigned to help prevent vibrations reaching the cabin.

All models feature twin-piston caliper front disc brakes. Comprehensive measures including greater frame and cabin rigidity, and softer engine and transmission mounts drastically reduce NVH to give passenger-car-like quiet. Finally, the new BT-50’s styling isn’t just about striking looks: extensive simulation and testing resulted in an aerodynamically efficient shape that contributes to high-speed stability, fuel economy and reduced cabin noise.

In addition to safety measures specific to pickups, the new BT-50 is equipped with advanced safety features found in passenger cars. Active safety begins with good all-round visibility and operability, superior braking performance, and a full range of vehicle control technologies. Of course, major systems are 4W-ABS, TCS and DSC, complemented by the Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), which senses emergency braking and boosts brake power; Brake Override System (BOS), which automatically overrides the accelerator if brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously; and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), which causes the hazard-warning lamps to flash in emergency braking from high speed.

Other safety features include Load Adaptive Control (LAC), which senses the weight and position of cargo and controls the operation of 4W-ABS, TCS and DSC to maximize braking, traction and stability, and also reduce the risk of rollovers; Trailer Sway Assist (TSA), which senses when a trailer begins to sway and varies the vehicle’s left and right wheel speeds in response; Roll Stability Control (RSC), which monitors vehicle behaviour and brakes individual wheels as necessary to prevent rollover; Hill Launch Assist (HLA), which keeps brakes applied for up to two seconds after the brake pedal is released on upward inclines; and Hill Descent Control (4WD only), which applies the brakes to keep the vehicle moving at a predetermined speed.

The driver’s visibility is maintained at night or in bad weather by high-performance headlamps with auto on/off. The rear view mirror is a self-dimming type that prevents headlights of following vehicles dazzling the driver. All the new models are equipped with a new rear parking aid that senses objects around the rear of the vehicle and gives an audible warning of their presence.

Passive safety starts with the strength and rigidity of the cabin, with its multiple, high-tensile steel reinforcements. The frame is also optimized to absorb and disperse collision energy. Together, cabin and frame safeguard occupants against impacts from any direction. Passive safety inside the cabin includes three-point ELR seatbelts for the front seats, and all three rear seat positions have three-point ELR seatbelts. Front, side and curtain airbags add another layer of protection. There’s also a shock-absorbing steering column and crushable brake pedal to further protect the driver. The Mazda BT-50 features ISOFIX child-seat anchors in the rear seats, and another feature to keep kids safe is the childproof lock lever on the rear doors.

Pedestrian protection is provided by a honeycomb structure in the bonnet to absorb and disperse the force of impact with a pedestrian’s head, while urethane foam behind the face of the bumper helps absorb the force of contact with a pedestrian’s knees.

The all-new BT-50 is greater in length, width and height than the previous Mazda BT-50, giving a roomier cabin as well as more load capacity. Cabin access is even easier than on the current model thanks to larger door openings and wider door-opening angles.

For entertainment, all models have a radio, MP3-compatible CD player and AUX socket as standard, and there’s a Multi-Function Display–a 3.5-inch monochrome super-twisted nematic (STN) display for high-grade models and a 2-line display for lower grades–located at the top of the center stack to confirm audio operations. Control is via a jog pad surrounded by dedicated buttons. High-performance, 6-inch door-mounted speakers are tuned for accurate sound staging.

For assured comfort, there’s a newly-adopted dual-zone full-auto air conditioning system. Dial-type controls for the left and right side feature in-dial displays that show set temperature, and the system’s cooling performance is class-topping.

The sporty/passenger car feel extends to the interior. An asymmetric layout for the front (wider for the passenger, narrower for the driver) gives the front passenger a spacious and comfortable area similar to a passenger car, while the driver enjoys a snug, sports-style, wraparound driving environment. The key interior color is black, highlighted with decorative silver elements. These silver parts on the door trim, floor console, shift knob, parking brake button, door handles, climate-control louvres, meter rings, dials and other parts are made of different materials and have different shades of silver according to location. Parts that users touch are chrome-plated with a satin finish that attracts the eye without causing glare. The all-new Mazda BT-50 also comes in pure leather upholstery.

Plentiful storage spaces throughout the cabin give everybody a place for personal items. Newly-added are a glove box on the driver’s side and an overhead console; the passenger’s side glove box is larger; the floor console has two cup holders, an armrest and double-decker storage compartment; and the front door pockets have 1-liter bottle holders. The rear seat has a new storage box beneath it.

The cargo box on all models is significantly enlarged over the current model to achieve class-leading capacity. Double wall construction gives durability while grooves and channels in the side walls allow easy installation of dividers or division into an upper and lower cargo area. And there’s more than just the cargo box’s capacity: class-top towing capability makes short work of towing a boat or other leisure equipment.

The all-new Mazda BT-50 is available in Titanium Grey, Copper Red, Gunmetal Blue, Cool White and Black Mica.