Around since 2007 the Mazda BT-50 one tonner now gets a more adventurous look and greater comfort and convenience.

Since its arrival, the bakkie has shown strong gains in the market place, steadily growing its market share in the Light Commercial Vehicle segment. In 2007 the BT-50 enjoyed a market share of 4.7 percent, which increased to 5.7 percent by 2008. In March of 2009 that figure had increased to 6.1 percent.

Packaged as a sports activity vehicle the Mazda BT-50 is billed as a vehicle for the adventurous at heart. The bold exterior styling, intended to reiterate this feeling, now features a refreshed front fascia that integrates with a new five-point body colour grille. Also new to the 2009 model range is a redesigned front fog lamp housing.

Newly designed 16" alloy wheels complete the updated side profile. The rear design has also been revamped with the addition of a new step bumper and a revised roll bar design.

Inside, the in-dash single CD changer (six-CD changer in Double Cab models) including MP3 capability, now includes a new auxiliary output point. Other comfort and convenience features (model dependant) include: air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and leather upholstery.

The Single Cab body can comfortably seat two occupants, and provides, according to Mazda, "one of the longest cargo boxes with the one of the largest load capacities in its segment". The Double Cab body has space for five occupants, with two in the front and three in the back.

The Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab accommodates a driver and passenger in the front while the back seat area is designed exclusively for cargo use. A 40-litre refrigerated utility box, standard on the 3.0-litre CRDi models, has a thermostat range of between 5°C and -15°C for those weekend camping trips.

The Freestyle Door System sees the front doors and rear access panels on both sides open from the centre to create an opening of 1500mm in width. The rear access panels open to almost 90°, which eases access to the rear area, whether to enter or exit the cabin, or to load or unload cargo.

Three engine derivates are on offer: the MZR-CD 3.0-litre common-rail direct-injection turbo diesel engine tops the range alongside the 2.6-litre petrol and 2.5-litre turbo diesel units.

The 3.0-litre power plant produces 115kW at 3200rpm and offers torque of 380Nm at 1800rpm. In order to support the greater power and torque generated by the MZR-CD unit new five-speed manual and automatic transmissions have been adopted.

The 2.6-litre petrol meanwhile offers up to 92kW at 4600rpm with 206Nm being generated at 3500rpm. The 2.5-litre turbo diesel has 80kW available from 3500rpm and 257Nm produced at 2000rpm.

In terms of safety the BT-50 comes with 4W-ABS and EBD systems. In addition to dual front airbags, some models are available with side airbags for head and chest protection.

On models equipped with airbags, both front seatbelts adopt a pretensioner and load limiter. Height adjusters added to the shoulder anchors on Double Cab models help set the seatbelts in optimal position.

The Mazda BT-50 offers 10 000km service intervals and a four-year/120 000km Warranty. The MazdaMotion five-year/90 000km Service Plan as well as three-year Roadside Assistance Plan comes standard across all models.

Pricing:
Single Cab
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4x2: R185 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4x4: R223 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4x4 (Safety): R234 600
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLX 4x2: R240 120
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLX 4x2: R262 320

Freestyle Cab
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLX 4x2: R256 870
Mazda BT 50 2500TDi SLX 4x4: R301 670
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLX 4x2: R289 900

Double Cab
Mazda BT-50 2.6i 4x4 (Safety): R270 400
Mazda BT-50 2.6i SLE 4x2: R290 360
Mazda BT-50 2500TDi SLE 4x2: R302 460
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4x2: R326 060
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4x2 Auto: R338 060
Mazda BT-50 3000CRDi SLE 4x4: R370 160

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