What’s in a model? You might suppose it’s adequate to easily construct a great automobile, however when seemingly each firm could make a half-decent automobile nowadays, having an identifiable consistency throughout your lineup is deathly necessary if you’re to face out and construct a following of patrons. There’s a motive carmakers spend billions on advertising and marketing and rent big-time designers to create a unified theme and visible id.
Mazda is a grasp at this. Ever because it shed the final vestiges of Ford possession, the plucky Japanese outfit has efficiently recast itself a lower above different mainstream manufacturers, with most of its vehicles sharing a laser focus. The whole lot from the Mazda 3 to the CX-9 exhibit the identical good design, elegant interiors and driver-focused highway manners – even when they don’t all hit the identical normal of excellence.
However there’s one space the place Hiroshima’s far-reaching makeover has all the time stopped brief, and that’s its pick-up truck providing, the BT-50. The corporate has expertise on this space – in any case, it helped construct the Courier and Ranger for Ford for almost 5 many years. However that experience was usurped by the Blue Oval and Mazda not has the sources (and, very possible, the willpower) to do it alone. To take care of a foothold in a promote it very clearly nonetheless needs to be in, it must borrow the homework of a associate. Enter Isuzu.
This, then, is the primary BT-50 to be based mostly on the D-Max. The third-generation of Isuzu’s hardy work truck is far improved in lots of areas – however is it a adequate base for the Mazda to make a convincing impression of the model’s highly-specialised fashions? We put the brand new one to the check to search out out.
Marriage of comfort
A body-on-frame pick-up might be the furthest factor from Mazda’s modus operandi of making premium, driver-focused experiences, and the BT-50 stands in stark distinction to the corporate’s upcoming BMW- and Mercedes-challenging fashions just like the CX-60. As such, this truck is in a little bit of a no man’s land – an ungainly center youngster that’s by some means too necessary to be dropped.
Mazda truly had an earlier begin than Isuzu in constructing compact and midsize pick-ups with the long-running B-Sequence and the primary BT-50. Ford, nonetheless, took over improvement of the Ranger beginning with the T6 in 2011, with its newly-independent associate piggybacking on its work. The latter clearly had its arms full fleshing out its then-nascent vary of Skyactiv engines and passenger automobile architectures.
This does imply that Mazda would’ve been ranging from scratch if it had been to construct its personal pick-up, and on condition that it’s so wanting to strike its personal path with out Ford, a partnership with one other carmaker made essentially the most sense. For a very long time, it was rumoured that the subsequent BT-50 can be twinned with the Toyota Hilux, however the firm as a substitute struck a cope with Isuzu in 2016, finally ensuing within the truck you see right here.
At the very least the brand new BT-50, seen right here in range-topping 3.0D Excessive Plus kind, is predicated on the most recent D-Max – comprehensively revamped to maintain tempo with the competitors – reasonably than agricultural predecessor. Isuzu has thrown the veritable kitchen sink at its workhorse, not solely giving it a contemporary new look but in addition a a lot nicer inside, a lighter and stiffer chassis, upgraded engines and a smorgasbord of recent applied sciences.
Premium-looking truck unrecognisable from D-Max
Mazda’s contribution is restricted to a couple design adjustments, however it’s a profitable one – at the very least from the surface. The all-new entrance finish does a exceptional impression of the model’s passenger vehicles, with a daring Kodo chrome grille melding neatly into the slim headlights (the latter incorporating attractive Mazda 3-style illuminated projector cans). The shortage of a decrease air consumption does end in a reasonably simplistic look, however it all works.
The sharp face helps disguise the Isuzu-derived cab part – even in case you recognise the place the door mirrors and handles got here from, you’ll by no means mistake the BT-50 for a D-Max on the highway. Nonetheless, the entire look is spoilt considerably by the yellow halogen positioning lights, situated low down on the entrance bumper. Why are they there, when the good-looking LED headlights already do a adequate job?
The businesslike rear can’t fairly match the sophistication of the entrance. Actually, the BT-50’s rump is extra conventionally truck-like than the D-Max’s, with its easier, much less three-dimensional taillight design and a separate bumper reasonably than an built-in one. The metal beam ought to at the very least minimise the chance of a rear-end collision inflicting pricey injury to the mattress. Finishing the look are 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, with V-shaped spokes that to my eyes look nicer than the Isuzu’s dish-like design.
Inside tweaks received’t idiot anybody
Inside, the revisions are simply as complete, despite the fact that it doesn’t look it, so related the structure and fundamental structure. Look intently and also you’ll discover a dashboard that’s truly totally different, embellished with sleeker air vents, elevated silvered trim and Mazda’s trademark deep crimson color scheme. Even the steering wheel and spherical airbag boss are new, though the multifunction controls are from the D-Max.
Except for the shortage of a prime storage compartment, nonetheless, the remainder of the cabin might be very acquainted to those that personal the Isuzu. The BT-50’s instrument cluster, 4.2-inch multi-info show (with barely totally different graphics), “piano key” switches for the dual-zone local weather management and chunky gearlever are all shared with its twin.
This doesn’t seem like a contemporary Mazda inside within the slightest, however it’s simply forgiven, as it is a badged-engineered product – and it’s at the very least far faraway from the earlier D-Max’s bargain-basement cockpit. It’s straightforward to get snug, too, with massive, comfortable seats and tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment. It has be mentioned, nonetheless, that the Mazda would’ve enormously benefited from a extra important inside reskin, as Volkswagen did to the Ranger to make the brand new Amarok.
Dominating proceedings is the range-topping nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, once more carried over from the Isuzu. The graphics – specifically the antiquated analogue clock and compass shows – are somewhat cheesy for my style, however as a result of all of the automobile settings are grouped within the MID, the system is a paragon in simplicity.
The interface consists solely of media, telephone connectivity and system settings menus, all logically laid out. Surprisingly, Isuzu went the entire hog and specced the D-Max with wi-fi Apple CarPlay compatibility – which the BT-50 additionally will get – and whereas it’s not solely dependable, it’s a pleasant characteristic to have. So too are the walk-away auto door lock and distant engine begin, which have to be section firsts.
Good security equipment, however solely on this top-spec mannequin
As per the D-Max, the BT-50 comes with a good suite of driver help techniques, together with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. Surprisingly, despite the fact that the truck makes use of an everyday handbrake, the adaptive cruise management works in any respect speeds, though it does ask you to carry the brake in relation to a cease – lest you roll inelegantly into the automobile in entrance.
These options are solely fitted to this range-topping variant – a trait that’s sadly widespread in the entire BT-50’s rivals. At the very least you get seven airbags on the 1.9D Excessive too, not simply the three.0D Excessive Plus. Stability management is after all normal fitment.
Environment friendly however tough powertrain hampers efficiency
Proper, let’s get on to the meat and potatoes. The BT-50 rides on Isuzu’s new Dynamic Drive Platform, bestowing the truck with a lighter and extra inflexible ladder body and physique (the latter is 20% stiffer in comparison with the earlier D-Max). There have additionally been changes to the suspension for higher stability, sturdiness and luxury, together with a steering retune to make it faster and lighter. You get greater brakes, too.
The BT-50 additionally will get each of the D-Max’s engines, beginning with the now-familiar RZ4E-TC 1.9 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 150 PS at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm. Discounting the bottom Mitsubishi Triton Quest and the discount JMC Vigus Professional, this mill is among the many least highly effective in its class and it actually has the bottom quantity of torque.
The Excessive Plus is the one one to obtain the 4JJ3-TCX 3.0 litre, closely revised for this technology and punching out a wholesome 190 PS and 450 Nm from 1,600 to 2,600 rpm. On paper, it is a broadly aggressive powertrain, even when it will probably’t fairly match the Toyota Hilux 2.8 and the Ford Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo. Each engines are mated to six-speed computerized gearboxes, though the smaller mill may also be hand with a guide.
However we don’t drive vehicles on paper. The three.0 litre engine might have been comprehensively enhanced, however the fundamental structure dates again to the first-generation D-Max. As such, it feels reasonably uncouth, exhibiting the archetypal diesel clatter that solely will get louder as you step on the throttle.
And also you’ll should step on it, as a result of regardless of most torque coming in low within the rev vary, the BT-50 takes some time to stand up to hurry. Throttle response feels sluggish, and even when the wall of torque lastly comes it doesn’t pull fairly as strongly as a few of its rivals. It’s not precisely sluggish, however in case you’re anticipating the refined, easy nature of the Ford specifically, you’re gonna be in for a shock.
A part of that blame comes right down to the transmission, which might get somewhat hesitant to kick down while you ask for it. The rationale for this? As all the time, Isuzu has centered on gas economic system – an strategy that has earned it a good few followers, significantly enterprise house owners. That is particularly necessary on condition that the federal government is mulling focused gas subsidies as international oil costs proceed to rally.
Give attention to aerodynamics doesn’t simply assist gas economic system
Isuzu has gone to city with the most recent D-Max, with enhancements that transcend incorporating a number of the learnings from the 1.9 litre engine into the three.0 litre unit (which, by the way in which, scale back friction losses and promote a extra full combustion). It put precise concentrate on aerodynamics, contracting the technical analysis institute of Japan Railways (JR, well-known for its shinkansen trains) for its wind tunnels.
This has not solely resulted within the truck’s wedge-shaped profile but in addition options like an underbody defend that reduces turbulence from beneath. All this can have been carried over to the BT-50 and the result’s a claimed gas consumption determine of 8.0 litres per 100 km on the Australian mixed cycle. Primarily based on our testing, at the very least, a real-world determine of below 9.0 litres per 100 km is actually achievable.
The Mazda’s slipperiness to the wind doesn’t simply profit its frugality. Regardless of the bluff frontage, the BT-50 produces astonishingly low ranges of wind noise at pace. There’s additionally a relative lack of highway roar – spectacular, on condition that this factor rides on all-terrain tyres – and the engine at the very least shuts up on.a gentle throttle. This can be a surprisingly refined freeway cruiser.
On-road manners spoiled by brutal experience
Refined, however not particularly snug. Actually, the BT-50’s suspension borders on punishing, threatening to bounce and judder you out of your seat. Its secondary experience is especially poor – even on a glass-smooth highway, the Mazda appears able to inventing bumps and lumps. Rumble strips expose the truck’s worst traits, inflicting it to clatter by way of them at such a excessive frequency it will probably knock the wind out of your lungs.
So harsh was the experience that it truly made me suspect the tyres had been overinflated. And they also turned out – the plump rollers had been pumped as much as a showroom-spec 280 kPa. Reducing the air pressures did let the BT-50 cool down somewhat, however even then it couldn’t match the consolation exhibited by the Ranger and particularly the Nissan Navara. There was a time when all vehicles rode like this, however that point has lengthy gone.
The stiff suspension does at the very least imply the BT-50 handles with cheap finesse for a pick-up, managing physique roll effectively – despite the fact that the bucking experience means you’re by no means really assured over mid-corner bumps. Its downfall is the old-school hydraulic steering, which remains to be very imprecise on-centre and takes fairly a little bit of twirling to get round a bend. You do, nonetheless, get a modicum of suggestions although the rim, which is good.
Like generations of D-Max earlier than it, the BT-50 acquits itself effectively off-road, as I found when taking it out to shoot the photographs on this overview. The inflexible chassis got here into its personal right here, letting the Mazda assuredly conquer the rocky outcrops in a fashion that belied its on-road clumsiness.
The truck additionally supplied loads of floor clearance and strategy and departure angles that had been greater than adequate sufficient to let me climb the hills on my (admittedly) tame journey. A rotary dial made switching to four-wheel drive a cinch, though the rear differential refused to lock except I used to be in low-range – not that I wanted both. Lastly, the Mazda can wade waters a formidable 800 mm deep, which after all I didn’t check.
Verdict: So shut, but so removed from class greatest
We finish this overview as we began it – the Mazda model and the way this BT-50 sits within the firm’s portfolio. Whereas the truck does exhibit the model’s common tendencies in some areas (beauty, a concentrate on effectivity, even the powertrain’s slight sluggishness), in most others it veers wildly off the script (iffy infotainment graphics, gruff engine, ponderous steering, crude experience).
That’s to not say it is a dangerous truck. The D-Max might have its flaws, however it additionally gives loads of strengths and it fulfils Isuzu’s remit of delivering nice gas economic system and impervious reliability and off-road prowess. However Mazda has a status of giving customers a premium and refined various to mainstream fashions and one drive within the BT-50 shatters this picture. Paradoxically, the corporate would’ve possible produced a much less contrived product had it caught with its partnership with Ford.
Even so, it’s plain that the BT-50 has loads of showroom enchantment, due to its good-looking, square-jawed face, well-built cabin and much of tech. For those who just like the D-Max – and might dwell with its foibles – however need one thing with somewhat extra pizzazz, this may be simply the ticket.
The brand new Mazda BT-50 vary is priced ranging from RM92,529 for the bottom 1.9 litre single-cab mannequin, rising as much as RM143,718 for this 3.0 litre Excessive Plus double-cab. A five-year/100,000 km guarantee is included within the buy. Browse full specs and tools on CarBase.my.
