Carried out by Melbourne based engineering and design firm, EGR, the BT-50’s aesthetic gains consists of a new grille, reshaped front bumper with a redesigned lower air intake, chrome detailing on higher spec models and on the inside, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the base XT and mid-range XTR variants receiving the same seven-inch Alpine touchscreen infotainment system limited to the flagship GT until now.
The aforementioned GT goes one step further by benefitting from a polished chrome sports bar with an integrated LED stop light, heavy duty bin-liner, a 12-volt power socket and tailgate central locking.
Motivation is kept unchanged with the Ford-sourced 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre turbodiesel engines punching out 110 kW/375 Nm or 147 kW/470Nm, with a choice of rear-or-four-wheel drive as well as a six-speed manual or similar ratio automatic gearbox.
“We know Australian customers want all this and a tough looking exterior, so we heeded demand and worked with local engineers to refresh the front-end and toughen up the BT-50,” Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi, told motoringuru.com.au.
“The utility segment is a huge priority in Australia and for Mazda; we’re always looking to improve and enhance our product offering, to remain competitive and appealing to our customers”.
Heading to dealership floors Down Under next month, the updates are likely to be the current generation BT-50’s last when it swaps the Ford Ranger’s T6 platform for that of the next Isuzu D-Max (KB) reportedly coming in 2020.
PRICES
SINGLE CHASSIS CAB
| MODEL | PRICE |
| 2.2 XT | $28 990 (R271 936) |
| 2.2 XT AT | $32 205 (R302 094) |
| 3.2 XT | $32 205 (R302 094) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 | $37 990 (R356 359) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 AT | $39 990 (R375 120) |
DOUBLE CHASSIS CAB
| MODEL | PRICE |
| 3.2 XT | $36 198 (R339 549) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 | $41 198 (R386 451) |
FREESTYLE CHASSIS CAB
| MODEL | PRICE |
| 3.2 XT | $34 490 (R323 528) |
| 3.2 XT AT | $36 490 (R342 288) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 | $40 490 (R379 810) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 AT | $43 490 (R407 951) |
FREESTYLE CAB
| MODEL | PRICE |
| 3.2 XTR 4x4 | $45 990 (R431 402) |
| 3.2 XTR 4x4 AT | $47 990 (R450 162) |
DUAL CAB
| MODEL | PRICE |
| 3.2 XT | $35 990 (R337 598) |
| 3.2 XT AT | $37 990 (R356 359) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 | $40 990 (R384 500) |
| 3.2 XT 4x4 AT | $42 990 (R403 261) |
| 3.2 XTR | $39 990 (R375 120) |
| 3.2 XTR AT | $41 990 (R393 880) |
| 3.2 XTR 4x4 | $46 990 (R440 782) |
| 3.2 XTR 4x4 AT | $48 990 (R459 543) |
| 3.2 GT 4x4 | $49 990 (R468 923) |
| 3.2 GT 4x4 AT | $51 990 (R487 684) |
IMAGES sourced from motoringuru.com.au
