Mazda Bt-50 Launched

[MoonRiverOasis]

The new 2012 Mazda BT-50 was officially launched in Thailand earler today.

Model Grades:

S Grade it the entry-level of the range, and is fairly sparse when it comes to equipment/spec:

Standard power, 125HP/320Nm 2.2L diesel

6-speed manual

Manual wind-up windows

3x 12V power outlets

2-speaker sound system with CD Player, MP3 support and AUX-in

16" steel wheels with 215/70R16 tires

The V Grade adds to the S:

High power, 150HP/375Nm 2.2L diesel

Electric side mirrors

Electric Windows

Remote Central Locking

2-line LCD multi-function display

USB support for the sound system and 4 speakers

Chrome door handles

16" alloy wheels with 215/70R16 tires

The V ABS Grade adds to the V Grade:

ABS with EBD

Upgrade to 6-speakers

Bluetooth

Upgraded multi-function display

Sunglass holder

Driver's chair with lumbar support

Foglamps

Chrome rear bumper

Chrome grille

Side mirrors with indicators

The Hi-Racer grade adds to the V:

Limited slip differential

Higher ride height

17" wheels with 265/65R16 tires

The Hi-Racer ABS grade adds to the Hi-Racer:

ABS with EBD

Upgrade to 6-speakers

Bluetooth

Upgraded multi-function display

Sunglass holder

Driver's chair with lumbar support

Foglamps

Chrome rear bumper

Chrome grille

Side mirrors with indicators

The Hi-Racer 6AT adds to the Hi-Racer ABS:

6-speed automatic

Automatic headlamps (dusk sensing)

Automatic windshiel wipers (rain sensing)

Cruise Control

Voice Control stereo system

Reversing sensors

The R Grade adds to the Hi-Racer ABS:

3.2L 200HP/470Nm diesel

The R 6AT Grade adds to the High-Racer 6AT:

3.2L 200HP/470Nm diesel

Traction, stability, hill descent and trailer sway control

Prices:

• Freestyle 2.2L 125PS/330Nm S 6MT 2WD 589000
  
• Freestyle 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V 6MT 2WD 639000
  
• Freestyle 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V ABS 6MT 2WD 683000
  
• Freestyle 2.2L 150PS/375Nm Hi-Racer 6MT 2WD 659000
  
• Freestyle 2.2L 150PS/375Nm Hi-Racer ABS 6MT 2WD 715000
  
• Freestyle 3.2L 200PS/470Nm R ABS 6MT 4WD 814000
  
• Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm S 6MT 2WD 629000
  
• Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V 6MT 2WD 724000
  
• Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V ABS 6MT 2WD 764000
  
• Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V ABS CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 2WD 874000
  
• Doublecab 3.2L 200PS/470Nm R ABS DSC 6MT 4WD 943000
  
• Doublecab 3.2L 200PS/470Nm R ABS DSC CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 4WD 988000
  

[MESmith]

That's one ugly front grill. I'm trying to be polite & refrain from expletives...

Edited January 24, 2012 by MESmith

[Presto]

That front will look very good creating a bow-wave when entering a flooded piece of road!

Besides that, the new Ranger, the new D-max and the new Vigo all look more or lesss the same in the front area, so this is at least different!

[Ungabunga]

Yes, for many its the front end thats a bit offputting. I've been told that the chassis is more car-like and smoother than the Ranger, I thought they would have been the same.

http://youtu.be/_8-PQDEhUc4

Edited January 24, 2012 by Ungabunga

[culicine]

Makes one wonder how they will price the 3.2 wildtrak - 100K more might sway many to the mazda, if they can accept the looks. I don't mid the front so much but hate those rear lights - on a dark coloured truck I'd get a set of smoked lights to stop them from being so prominent. Pity there's no cooler box for my beer, so I'd probably still take the ranger:)

[stefan2519]

Well if my understanding is correct,

The Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V ABS CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 2WD 874000 is the same, except slight styling differences, as the the 2.2 Wildtrak 2WD 869,000.

That would suggest that the 3.2 Wildtrak 4x4 should be cheaper then the Doublecab 3.2L 200PS/470Nm R ABS DSC CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 4WD 988000

[juehoe]

That front will look very good creating a bow-wave when entering a flooded piece of road!

Besides that, the new Ranger, the new D-max and the new Vigo all look more or lesss the same in the front area, so this is at least different!

I have some love-hate feelings with the the new BT-50 design. I also like thats it is quite different to the competitors. The new Ford Ranger looks very good. Both are technical the same. The BT-50 should have a smoother back axle. I will decide when comparing interior design, accessories and price.

We already own the Mazda 3 and also looking for the future CX-5. I am very satisfied with the Mazda brand.

[funcat]

...so no AT doublecab model without leather ?..if not,that makes an XLT the winner...but I do like the Mazda interior design and this is what we most see,from the inside...

[stefan2519]

All the pictures at the release day;

http://www.motortriv...azda-BT-50.html

After looking at all the interior pictures I'm not sold on the whole "BT50 has a better interior".

The pictures of the leather look more natural but other than that I don't think it's winning by miles!

Edited January 25, 2012 by stefan2519

[mogandave]

Makes one wonder how they will price the 3.2 wildtrak - 100K more might sway many to the mazda, if they can accept the looks. I don't mid the front so much but hate those rear lights - on a dark coloured truck I'd get a set of smoked lights to stop them from being so prominent. Pity there's no cooler box for my beer, so I'd probably still take the ranger:)

Ditto on the taillights.

That said, remember when the '73 Chevy came out with wraparound tailights that looked so odd?

[MoonRiverOasis]

Well if my understanding is correct,

The Doublecab 2.2L 150PS/375Nm V ABS CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 2WD 874000 is the same, except slight styling differences, as the the 2.2 Wildtrak 2WD 869,000.

That would suggest that the 3.2 Wildtrak 4x4 should be cheaper then the Doublecab 3.2L 200PS/470Nm R ABS DSC CRUISE LEATHER 6AT 4WD 988000

The 3.2L Wildtrak has a number of spec upgrades over the top-model BT-50:

18" alloy wheels

Reversing Camera

Drink Cooler

6 Airbags

Wildtrak Roof bars

Wildtrak Rollbar

Wildtrak Box rails

Electric driver's chair

[mogandave]

And it doesn't have tail lights that came off of George Jetson's car.

[Superkatsu]

and the Bedliner...

But my choice is the Mazda... I don't like all that rails... and the Ford is 100000 more.

I saw on Mazda 4 door on the Streets today... It looks really fresh to all the others...

[Superkatsu]

Also under 1million for the 3.2 is good for the first time buyer. My wife never had a car

[Big Guns]

Is is going to have massive depreciation? I guess the same question goes for the Ford. That's the main thing that would put me off the Ford/Mazda when I replace my 4x4 D-Max next year. As someone who replaces their cars every 3-4 years resale is a major factor.

[skybluestu]

Glad I decided on the Ranger XLT 6AT when I did instead of waiting to see what Mazda offered as I'd have been disappointed! There is no Automatic option like Ford offer with their XLT, only their top model which is 874,000baht. And not sure what the fuss about the interior is all about either, very similar to the Ranger.

[rixalex]

Just a small thing, but the gear shift seems unnaturally off-set to left, to the passenger side. Is it like this in the Ranger?

Edited January 25, 2012 by rixalex

[MoonRiverOasis]

Is is going to have massive depreciation? I guess the same question goes for the Ford. That's the main thing that would put me off the Ford/Mazda when I replace my 4x4 D-Max next year. As someone who replaces their cars every 3-4 years resale is a major factor.

Only time will ultimately tell, but those in the business of projecting depreciation are all pegging the BT-50 to take the biggest resale hit. Not very surpising given it's somehwat polarising design.

Just a small thing, but the gear shift seems unnaturally off-set to left, to the passenger side. Is it like this in the Ranger?

The stick in the Ranger is in dead center.

Edited January 25, 2012 by MoonRiverOasis

[MoonRiverOasis]

That's the manual. Perhaps kbb was refering to the auto stick?

Probbaly - I though the same right after hitting the submit button, heh

For me, stick = MT - that's my excuse anyway

[rixalex]

That's the manual. Perhaps kbb was refering to the auto stick?

Probbaly - I though the same right after hitting the submit button, heh

For me, stick = MT - that's my excuse anyway

Speaking of sticks and such, my only experience of manual in this sort of vehicle was a Prerunner and i found it awful. Not so much the gear change but the clutch. It was so high and the travel in it so long, i had to move my leg and bend it up for every gear change. Terrible. Is this usual for this sort of vehicle?

[MoonRiverOasis]

Anyways, back to topic..

You do have to go see the BT-50 in the metal - it really does work nicely in the flesh, so long as you see it in the right color. Just like the Colorado, it looks cheap and nasty in white, but in darker colors (metallic red especially IMHO) it really does start looking good. The rear taillamps are the biggest let-down though - they make the rear look narrow and anemic - then again, that might also be a reason you prefer it I guess

Also, IMHO, the interior is much nicer than the Ranger. The BT-50 dash looks like something lifted out fo a mid-range car, and the center audio stack looks clean, integrated and not too busy. The Ranger dash is still nice, but it's "rugged" looks and chunky buttons just don't look as "classy" as the BT-50.

It's worth your time to investigate - just don't take your Mrs/GF with you, otherwise it'll all go straight into the BT-50's favor...

Edited January 25, 2012 by MoonRiverOasis

[MoonRiverOasis]

That's the manual. Perhaps kbb was refering to the auto stick?

Probbaly - I though the same right after hitting the submit button, heh

For me, stick = MT - that's my excuse anyway

Speaking of sticks and such, my only experience of manual in this sort of vehicle was a Prerunner and i found it awful. Not so much the gear change but the clutch. It was so high and the travel in it so long, i had to move my leg and bend it up for every gear change. Terrible. Is this usual for this sort of vehicle?

Yep - long clutch pedal is pretty standard on pickups - they have a much heavier clutch than passenger cars, so a longer pedal is used for better leverage/less effort.

I see no reason not to buy AT, if looking at these new 6-speeders, given that they only come with a 20-30K price premium

Edited January 25, 2012 by MoonRiverOasis

[rixalex]

That's the manual. Perhaps kbb was refering to the auto stick?

Probbaly - I though the same right after hitting the submit button, heh

For me, stick = MT - that's my excuse anyway

Speaking of sticks and such, my only experience of manual in this sort of vehicle was a Prerunner and i found it awful. Not so much the gear change but the clutch. It was so high and the travel in it so long, i had to move my leg and bend it up for every gear change. Terrible. Is this usual for this sort of vehicle?

Yep - long clutch pedal is pretty standard on pickups - they have a much heavier clutch than passenger cars, so a longer pedal is used for better leverage/less effort.

I see no reason not to buy AT, if looking at these new 6-speeders, given that they only come with a 20-30K price premium

Interesting. Thanks. Anyone who drives a manual regularly must have an odd walk, as their left leg must be double the size of their right with all that exercise!

20-30k sounds a complete bargain.

[culicine]

That's the manual. Perhaps kbb was refering to the auto stick?

Probbaly - I though the same right after hitting the submit button, heh

For me, stick = MT - that's my excuse anyway

Speaking of sticks and such, my only experience of manual in this sort of vehicle was a Prerunner and i found it awful. Not so much the gear change but the clutch. It was so high and the travel in it so long, i had to move my leg and bend it up for every gear change. Terrible. Is this usual for this sort of vehicle?

I'm not sure but every article I read prefer the auto over the manual - certainly much better than around bkk. Mind you the ranger could pull away in 3rd so no need for the first gear unladen:)

[MoonRiverOasis]

The AutoSpinn website has an image gallery from the launch party, with photos of most of the colors:

http://www.autospinn...azda-bt-50-pro/

Edited January 25, 2012 by MoonRiverOasis

[transam]

The AutoSpinn website has an image gallery from the launch party, with photos of most of the colors:

http://www.autospinn...azda-bt-50-pro/

The AutoSpinn website has an image gallery from the launch party, with photos of most of the colors:

http://www.autospinn...azda-bt-50-pro/

Forget the truck, the ladies are a good selling point for me.

[kartman]

The AutoSpinn website has an image gallery from the launch party, with photos of most of the colors:

http://www.autospinn...azda-bt-50-pro/

The AutoSpinn website has an image gallery from the launch party, with photos of most of the colors:

http://www.autospinn...azda-bt-50-pro/

Forget the truck, the ladies are a good selling point for me.

Are two in the Casino thread?

[juehoe]

The 3.2L Wildtrak has a number of spec upgrades over the top-model BT-50:

Reversing Camera

6 Airbags

It really sad, that Mazda Thailand doesn't include these options - which are available in Australia...!

The reversing camera is really very useful and for me a "must-have" for a top model in the pick-up market. The Australian BT-50 has a combo rear facing mirror which includes the camera image. Very cool! I also like the front facing cameras of the Isuzu models. Unfortunately non of the other manufactures has followed this path.

I also miss the option of the side/curtain airbags. Thai customers seems not yet interested in passive safety. Mazda also removed this option in the new Mazda 3. The 2008 top model had 6 airbags.

For me it will be a hard decision: I like the style and many features of the BT-50, but really missing the rear camera and the airbags. So what do do: BT-50 or the new Ranger...?

[naboo]

Rear view cameras are only for people too fat and lazy to look over their shoulder.

[mogandave]

I have the back-up camera on my D-Max and I thought it was silly when I got it, but you do kind of get used to it. I can remember when I thought AT, remote door-locks, air-con and power windows and paying somone to wash or service were all silly as well, but then, I've lived long enough and well enough that I am now fat and lazy.

The XLT is avaiable in true red, but not the wildtrack, WTFIUWT?