1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208 
Mazda's BT=50 pick-up is more than capable 6f performing on and off-road, but does anyone know it exists?
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Words: Julian Milnes / Images: Tom Lee Sales charts can offer an indication of a vehicle's ability, and, in turn, the buying public's savvy in choosing the best wheels for the job, but to say these figures paint the entire picture is not wholly accurate.
We can think of several vehicles in the past that have either confounded us with their ability to sell in huge numbers, or passed through with surprisingly minimal commercial impact, despite their ability, which brings us neatly to the Mazda BT-50.
For those of you who don't know, this Thai-built pick-up shares its foundations with the Ford Ranger (CM 24 August 2006), and sells in only minuscule numbers. accounting for just 565 sales in 2007.
Available in 4x2 or 4x4 single-cab and 4x4 double-cab options, the BT-50 is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 141hp and 330Nm of torque. And unlike the previous version, which had an engine that seemed to date back to before the invention of the wheel, the new powerplant boasts commonrail technology, as well as 16 valves and DOHC, and is mated to a five-speed manual shift.
Underneath, you get transferable 4WD, which can be engaged on the move, complete with high and low ratios, as well as freewheeling hubs, which activate on transfer to four-wheel power.
All versions come complete with driver and passenger airbags. an immobiliser. central locking and a CD/radio, while double-cabs also get ABS with EBD, alarm, air-con, electric windows and door mirrors.
For those that like the odd adornment, there's also the up-rated spec of the TS2 on the double-cab, a la the CM test vehicle, which includes a chromed grille, door handles and mirrors, side-step six-disc CD changer and 16" alloys.
Prices start at £10, 336 for the 4x2 single-cab and rise to £16, 471 for the top-of-the-range TS2.
Productivity
Thanks to the engine's easy power delivery, which allowed us to ride the torque hand and keep the revs down, the Mazda performed very well in the fuel test. We achieved a class-leading 34.6mpg laden, while unladen was equally as impressive, with a pace-setting 37.8mpg. This compares well with the previous leading performer, the Isuzu Rodeo, which boasted figures of 33.3mpg and 34.8mpg respectively.
However, it should be noted that the Mazda's engine was a well bedded-in example.
In the rear, the load bed offers enough usable space for a decent-sized haul payload is 1,137kg the tailgate dropping sufficiently to allow decent access, while wheelarch intrusion fails to make a dent in overall load space.
There's also four lashing points to help keep your cargo secure, although our model came without the optional plastic lining that helps absorb the knocks and prevents scratching of the precious paint work.
Servicing is set at a modest 12 months/12,500 miles, while the warranty makes some impressive reading at 36months/ unlimited miles.
Cab comfort
There's plenty to like about this Mazda's interior straight from the kick-off. Granted. the top trim level gets you a bundle of electric extras and a snazzy user-friendly six-CD changer to add an extra touch of comfort, but the fundamental basics are also impressively sorted.
The cab is pleasing thanks to a modern car-like design and decent plastics; it is comfortable and easy to navigate. and the main switches and dials are clearly labelled.
The driving position is positive. You're perched high enough to navigate the front end through tight spaces and winding paths. although the rear seat travel is a little tight for taller folk — a result of the double-cab arrangement.
This issue also limits rear passenger space. You will get three in the back, albeit for shorter distances, although headroom is generous enough to partly alleviate the restricted leg room.
Storage is strong for a pick-up, with a central tray, cup holders and a hinged arm rest compartment, with a split-level opening adding to the mandatory door bins and rather clever passenger-side pull-out tray.
Fit and finish is also first rate, with all switchgear working crisply, and doors shutting with a reassuring solidity, which is also reflected in the level of refinement when on the move. The Mazda feels well insulated from outside elements whether you are on the motorway or plugging through the dirt.
On the road If Mazda's previous effort failed to inspire because of an engine and chassis that conspired to grind out the driving experience, this latest version takes these shortcomings and turns them on their head, transforming them into the mainstay of its ability.
On start-up, the 2.5-litre engine settles down immediately, displaying neither a lumpy idle nor any excessive vibration. It delivers power in a reassuringly progressive manner, and comes complete with a decent dollop of torque thrown in — ideal for tackling terrain with a full load or towing trailers etc.
Working it requires little effort from the gearbox, with the shift particularly clean and precise in operation. The same goes for the steering, which is accurate and offers both decent feedback and levels of assistance. Body control is generally sound out on the blacktop, which allows the Mazda to cruise in relative comfort. There is a degree of floatiness to the suspension, which is noticeable as you navigate corners due to a degree of body roll, but ultimate grip remains strong.
Switching to the dirt and 4WD, via the manual selector lever located next to the gearshift, the BT-50 remains composed, its compliant suspension coming to the fore and soaking up undulations and uneven terrain without the hint of a murmur.
Dropping down into the low-ratio, Mazda's pick-up digs in well enough and tackles gradients with sufficient gusto, that chunky torque band delivering all the grunt you could conceivably need.
That said, though, we're going to have to stop just short of awarding it off-road top honours.
We still can't see past Toyota's Hilux for this particular accolade, but the Mazda BT-50 is still very much up there and can hold its head up high.