Photo: Mazda
Though the Mazda BT-50 is regarded by many as a country bumpkin, the Japanese cousin of the Ford Ranger is extremely similar to the T6-gen mid-size pickup truck. The two boast with different body shells, but their underpinnings are pretty much identical. To boot, both trucks are made by AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) in Rayong.
Both the second generation of the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger started production in 2011, but only the Blue Oval’s workhorse got a facelift. We talked about the 2015 Ford Ranger only recently, so what about the BT-50 ute? Will it get refreshed as well?
Of course it will! Mazda Australia marketing bigwig Alastair Doak declared to Aussie publication Motoring that “the facelift will change the way the car looks and you wouldn't have to think too hard to realise it will adopt some of this Kodo design language.”
Finally! How great would it be if the 2015 Mazda BT-50 will borrow the current 3's front fascia design...
Mazda Australia PR chief Steve Maciver added: “When you see the updated car you will definitely see more cues of the passenger car range coming through... we think it will be a pretty good looking truck."
Truth be told, the manufacturer’s Aussie division needs to deliver a better looking truck if they want to level up from sixth place in the ultra competitive ute segment. Utes are a big deal in the Land Down Under, just as full-size pickup trucks are in the North America, so you can imagine how much weight is on the shoulders of the rejuvenated BT-50 pickup.
When the BT-50 facelift will arrive in dealerships next year, the revamped workhorse will also get some new or improved creature comforts. Don’t expect anything more than better deadening, touchscreen infotainment and minor restyling to the cabin design. As for powertrains, these will likely be carried over.
That translates to a 2.2 turbo diesel mated to a six-speed manual for 4x2 models, as well as a 3.2-liter turbo diesel coupled to either a stick shift or a six-speed automatic on four-wheel drive models. As ever, the 2015 Mazda BT-50 facelift is expected to be offered in an extensive range of body types, as follows: Single Cab Chassis, Freestyle Cab Chassis, Freestyle Cab Utility, Dual Cab Chassis and Dual Cab Utility.
Of course it will! Mazda Australia marketing bigwig Alastair Doak declared to Aussie publication Motoring that “the facelift will change the way the car looks and you wouldn't have to think too hard to realise it will adopt some of this Kodo design language.”
Finally! How great would it be if the 2015 Mazda BT-50 will borrow the current 3's front fascia design...
Mazda Australia PR chief Steve Maciver added: “When you see the updated car you will definitely see more cues of the passenger car range coming through... we think it will be a pretty good looking truck."
Truth be told, the manufacturer’s Aussie division needs to deliver a better looking truck if they want to level up from sixth place in the ultra competitive ute segment. Utes are a big deal in the Land Down Under, just as full-size pickup trucks are in the North America, so you can imagine how much weight is on the shoulders of the rejuvenated BT-50 pickup.
When the BT-50 facelift will arrive in dealerships next year, the revamped workhorse will also get some new or improved creature comforts. Don’t expect anything more than better deadening, touchscreen infotainment and minor restyling to the cabin design. As for powertrains, these will likely be carried over.
That translates to a 2.2 turbo diesel mated to a six-speed manual for 4x2 models, as well as a 3.2-liter turbo diesel coupled to either a stick shift or a six-speed automatic on four-wheel drive models. As ever, the 2015 Mazda BT-50 facelift is expected to be offered in an extensive range of body types, as follows: Single Cab Chassis, Freestyle Cab Chassis, Freestyle Cab Utility, Dual Cab Chassis and Dual Cab Utility.
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