Local preferences taken aboard for latest update.
Mazda might be a mainstream player in many regards, but in the grand scheme of things where utes are concerned, their BT-50 has remained a sort of fringe player, appealing only to those who like all the bits of the Ford Ranger but want something that doesn’t look at all like a Ford Ranger.
Furthering that divide between itself and its American cousin (the BT-50 and the Ranger share underpinnings and engines, for the uninitiated) is the intention of the 2018 refresh. While the existing model has distinguished itself in the ute space by offering a more curvaceous, more shapely design, it seems that Mazda wants to move towards convention and take on a more rugged, butch appearance with the latest revisions.
But it’s worth noting that the sole teaser image above shows… a curvaceous profile, and rather non-butch alloys.
However, Mazda promises “significant front-end design changes,” that will “lower the car’s visual centre of gravity” with “squared-off” bumper edges, “bolder” fog light surrounds, and a “large trapezoidal lower air intake with skid plate.”
We don’t expect to see any revisions to the drivetrain though, so we’re anticipating the new 2018 Mazda BT-50 to soldier on with a choice of either a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 110kW, or a 3.2-litre turbodiesel with 147kW, with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
The company also claims that there will be a “range of features and equipment added” across the wider BT-50 range. Should be interesting. Stay tuned to CarShowroom for more updates as they come.
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