The latest and boldest Mazda BT-50 truck
I went to check out the Mazda Fighter pick-up truck some 4 mths ago at a Mazda showroom in Jalan Ampang. There were a few of them on display and are going for a good bargain. The salesperson said that the trucks on display are the remaining few to be disposed at a very discounted price. I cant recall but it was around RM86k for a fully-kitted exterior and some interior refinements. No test drive was given for some reason but I was satisfied with it. Looking at the whole outlook of the truck, it has no match with the Ford Ranger TDCi that I took it for a test run months ago.
Very similar body frame to the Ford Ranger, the BT-50 is
Yesterday I attended the launch of the latest model from Mazda, the BT-50. The latest pick-up truck is based on the Ford Ranger platform. It looks more ‘friendlier’ unlike many conventional trucks that are suited for hardcore activities. Still, it cant beat the looks of the Mitsubishi Triton with its radical design.
Stylish frontal with all the chrome stuff. Eyes can be bigger though.
The powerplant of the Mazda BT-50 shares the same engine at the Ford Ranger (both companies are under one roof) thus making the truck boasting the best engine around. Mazda’s MZ-DE 2.5l turbo-diesel engine with intercooler consists of 4-cylinders in-line DOHC engine is able to churn out 141bhp with 330Nm of torque. Same as the Ranger, it has a 5-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual gearbox for those who needs more ‘action’ in the cabin. Fuel economy should be as good as the Ranger though..
Use the fingers to switch between 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive modes.
Basic but its gives you valuable information
At the showroom, I got myself into both the manual and the automatic versions of the BT-50. At one glance on the dashboard, they look somewhat familiar. Again, the similarities of the Ranger and the BT-50 are very evident. The center console, steering wheel and meter panels all share the same as the Ranger. Front seats are comfortably shaped too. Storage areas such as the glove box, bottle holders and arm rests with double-layer compartments are very similar as well.
It’s a truck lah!
The doors on the BT-50 sound somewhat softer when I close it. Unlike other tough trucks, this one feels like a normal car and doesn’t need much effort to slam it shut. Each doors comes with a tinted sun visor too.
The rear bed comes with a sports bar similar to that of a Isuzu D-Max, colored with a combo of black and gray. The rear lights cluster looks futuristic.
Not the best space for six-footers but it still gets you in.
Passengers area at the rear are not as favourable. Leg room is so-so and is nothing to shout about. Rear seats are firm but does not have the best recline too.
Emblems to indicate the POWER within
16 inchers for the road and mud
A white stallion waiting to feed your bottom with helluva ride experience
Overall, the truck looks like a truck and is mainly targeted to old-school truckers. Not an appealing factor to the younger market though. Priced at RM86,xxx for the manual and a couple thousand more for the automatic version. The first 100 customers will enjoy either a RM3,000 rebate or 50-months free service. Isn’t it a good deal?? If I were to get one, I would opt for the free service maintenance. To me, a well-maintained truck is a happy owner 
I have yet to test drive this baby though. You can contact me if you wish to purchase the BT-50.
