After some light teasing on its social media channels over the weekend, Bermaz Motor has now announced that the all-new Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck is now available for booking.
Two variants of the all-new Mazda BT-50 will be offered here in Malaysia – the 1.9L AT High and 3.0L AT High Plus – both in double-cab body styles only, with prices starting from RM124,179.
In case you weren’t following closely, the all-new Mazda BT-50 is based on the third-generation Isuzu D-Max that was just launched here in Malaysia earlier this year. However, Mazda has given it a completely unique body shell on the outside, based around the brand’s own Kodo design language.
The large front grille in chrome is unmistakeably Mazda, as is the chrome trim that underlines the recessed LED headlights. Compared to the angry-looking D-Max, the BT-50 here instead exudes an air of mature elegance, similar to its range of SUV models.
RELATED: All-new Mazda BT-50 launched in Thailand, but without ADAS
Moving inside, however, and the differences are less apparent – considering that the D-Max already has a classy interior design. The air-con vents on the dashboard has been rounded off for a less “edgy” look, and there’s also a new satin silver trim that underscores the entire dashboard, joining the two door cards together.
Aside from that, though, the rest of the dashboard architecture is virtually identical to that of the Isuzu D-Max, including the nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and analogue instrument clusters with a 4.2-inch multi-info display – although the latter looks to be a monotone LCD instead of the coloured TFT screen on the D-Max.
The seats, wrapped in brown leather, also looks fairly similar in construction to the ones on the range-topping Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain, although the stitching pattern differs slightly. Mazda did however include additional knee pads around the centre console in front, further elevating the “premium feel” of the BT-50.
In terms of safety, the all-new Mazda BT-50’s advanced driver assistance suite also mirrors that of the range-topping D-Max variant, with features including Automatic High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
As the name suggests, the all-new Mazda BT-50 will be offered with two powertrain options – a 1.9-litre turbodiesel inline-four with 150 PS and 350 Nm, as well as a 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit providing 190 hp and 450 Nm – both identical to their Isuzu counterparts. Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Pricing for the all-new Mazda BT-50 starts at RM124,179.20 for the 1.9L AT High variant, jumping up to RM143,218.40 for the 3.0L AT High Plus. Both prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and includes a five-year/100,000 km warranty. As pick-up trucks are classified under commercial vehicles, they don’t get to enjoy the same tax break as other passenger cars, despite being fully imported from Thailand.
Spec-for-spec, the BT-50 is marginally more expensive than it’s Isuzu counterparts – though the clout you get from the Mazda brand might be enough to sway you… just kidding.
Interested to see the car in person before you put down an order? Mazda will be previewing the BT-50 at the upcoming Carlist.my “Drive” Auto Fair at Setia City Convention Centre from the 3rd to 5th December 2021.
