Sacrilegious! Absurd! Thoughts like these filled everyone’s mind when Mazda took the wraps off its latest product offering: a half-ton pick-up designed and engineered for the blue collared folk. But before you start sharpening your pitchforks and lighting up your torches, let’s put things into perspective first: this isn’t the first Mazda pick-up.
People older than Mandy Moore will surely remember the B-Series—a no frills pick-up truck that was reveled for its dependability and durability. It was sold by FMC (at the time, these initials didn’t stand for Ford Motor Company) and it littered the roads mainly as service vehicles for utility companies—surely a commendable achievement given the harsh loads and conditions these cars face. Even now, you still see a number of B-Series pick-ups still running around despite the non-availability of spare parts since FMC pulled out of the market.
As the new FMC (this time being Ford Motor Company) established a local office in the Philippines, the Mazda B-Series was replaced by its worldwide stable-mate, the Ford Ranger—a decision based on the brand image of building ‘tough’ products as opposed to the former’s ‘driver-centric’ passenger cars. Still the voice of die-hard pick-up fans and dealers alike cannot be ignored as the B-Series opens up the possibility of reaching out to more buyers and higher sales. So after a long hiatus, the Mazda B-Series, now known as the BT-50, is here once more.
In as much as Mazda dubs the BT-50 as the “pick-up with zoom-zoom”, it takes that connotation to its absolute limit. If it were based solely on showroom appeal, the BT-50 doesn’t stands out. Sure, there are modern design cues like the large multi-reflector headlamps, pull-type door handles and single-action tailgate; but these are all de rigueur as all the other pick-ups in the playground (maybe sans the Chinese brands) have these and so much more. Still, even if the BT-50 is the proverbial wallflower of the pick-up, Mazda at least gave it a ‘high rider’ stance complete with side step boards, body flares and fat 245/70 R 16 tires.
But while the BT-50 severely lacks points in the looks department, at least it’s a winner where it counts: the drive. The Mazda BT-50 is a welcome breath of fresh air in these times of jumbo-sized ‘compact’ pick-ups. Its 5,169-mm overall length, and more importantly, its 1,807-mm overall width make the BT-50 easily maneuverable into even the tightest of spaces. Other pick-ups will require a steeper learning curve when upgrading from a sedan thanks to their oversized girth and poor visibility, but the BT-50 is gentler with manageable dimensions and excellent visibility. Worth honorable mentions in the BT-50: the extra-large greenhouse (especially the generous de-fogger equipped rear glass) and the extra-large side view mirrors. According to Mazda, the BT-50 is equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering rack connected to an electronic servo (electric power steering…in a pick-up!). This doesn’t really reduce the number of twirls to fully lock the steering wheel nor improve the feel; but it does reduce the necessary elbow grease needed.
The compact, ‘chuckable’ frame and good visibility are precursors to the BT-50’s performance. Depending on whether you’re shelling out of the P 1,329,000 for the 4×4 or P 949,000 for the 4×2, there are two 4-cylinder engines available: a 3.0-liter (4×4) and a 2.5-liter (4×2). Both have turbochargers and common rail direct injection technology making them very formidable indeed. Mazda calls this engine series MZR-CD, but since it’s shared with the Ranger, it’s also DuraTorq. For over a week, we drove the value-oriented 4×2 and came out pretty impressed.
On paper alone, the 4×2’s 143 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque easily trounces other pick-ups with similar (Mitsubishi Strada, Toyota Hilux) and even bigger (Isuzu D-MAX) displacements. On the road though, these figures seem much higher as the BT-50 accelerates like there’s no tomorrow. Unlike a typical diesel where torque comes and goes quite quickly, the MZR-CD’s tuning makes use of both its generous displacement at low rpms and then the turbo from 2,000 rpm onwards. The throttle pedal travel is relatively short, so even a short bleep is rewarded with triple-digit speeds; and it does so with eerie quietness. It still doesn’t sound like a petrol engine, but seeing the speedometer needle rise up is enough to put a smile on your face. Plus, the fuel economy is actually very good—beating the likes of the Mitsubishi Strada with its close to 11 km/L, hauling and all.
With just a small percentage of the Philippine market opting for a slush box in a pick-up, Mazda opted to give the BT-50 a five-speed manual as the sole transmission option. The shift action is on the long side, but the engagement is positive and slick. The BT-50 doesn’t shy away from its workhorse nature as its gear ratios are more biased towards hauling rather than top speed; 60-80 km/h in top gear is quite normal. The clutch is easy to modulate and forgiving on the BT-50 as well, so don’t be afraid to take stop-and-go traffic head on despite the stick shift configuration.
And while you’re stuck in traffic, you’ll feel comfortable in the BT-50’s no nonsense cabin. The BT-50’s approach to its interior is the same as its exterior with no unnecessary add-ons. There’s no DVD entertainment system, no compass and no Optitron gauges; instead what you’ll find is a highly ergonomic and easy to understand command center with first-rate fit and finish. There are some sporty cues like the circular aircon vents and even the nifty map tray, but overall it’s all business here. Even as a pick-up, the BT-50 takes on the Mazda corporate cues with supportive front seats and its black-on-black interior highlighted by silver accented trims. All the instrumentations light as red at night too, similar to what you’ll see in a Mazda3. The sound system is fully featured with a 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability as well as an auxiliary input jack for your Apple iPod. It may only have four speakers, but it delivers enough punch for most.
However, despite having a lot of pluses on the BT-50’s interior column, it’s easy negated by some outdated pick-up design cues. First up is the umbrella-type handbrake which is clumsy to operate. Second is the lack of rear passenger room. Whereas other pick-ups have become a sort of pseudo-SUV with a longer cabin and shorter bed, the Mazda continues on with criminally upright, tight rear quarters and a long bed. It’s good if you’re using the BT-50 for business, but not so if you’re making this double as family transport.
Despite these shortcomings, the BT-50 is still one solid product that’s worth recommending. Though it clings to its traditional pick-up roots more than most of its rivals, it can also work to your advantage. With our editorial offices undergoing some repair, the BT-50 proved its mettle by hauling materials to and from the hardware store. It was able to load much more compared to say, the D-MAX, and still perform better loaded. In addition, our week with the BT-50 put it squarely against freak flashfloods. The Mazda prevailed thanks to its excellent water wading abilities. Where other pick-ups may have lower floor pans and compromised air intake and/or computer boxes, the BT-50 is designed to take punishment both on and off the road.
It’s hard to see the Mazda BT-50 parked alongside the MX-5 and CX-9 in a showroom. But don’t be fooled by the BT-50’s simpleton looks. After a week of driving it around, the BT-50 is a solid addition to the Mazda line. It’s hard to get excited over a pick-up, much less one that promises driving excitement, but once you get behind the wheel of the BT-50 and experience it first-hand, you’ll come out amazed and impressed. A pick-up with the spirit of zoom-zoom? You better believe it.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang
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