2011 MAZDA BT-50 3.2L 6MT 4×4 (200 HP) Freestyle Cab

Vehicle Overview

The second generation of the BT50 was designed by Mazda’s research center based at Ford Australia’s design center. It shares fewer elements with the Ford Ranger and offered a true Mazda look.

Depending on the continents, a pickup might or not be important to the market. If you ask a European, that kind of vehicle is almost useless. But in the U.S. or Australia, the 4×4 light utility vehicle segment is more important. Mazda didn’t want to lose a slice of the pie and continued its cooperation with Ford for the BT50, even though the two companies split in 2008.

From the outside, the front fenders and the headlights reminded of the Mazda 6 sedan. With its swept and angled headlights, it looked more like an SUV rather than a rugged pickup truck. Its flared arches and wave lines on its side, the BT50 was designed more for lifestyle than for work. But the chassis underneath and the leaf-springs in the back confirmed its utility backbone. It was offered as a 2-door chassis-cab, an extended cabin with rear suicide doors and two tiny seats in the back and a full-size 4-door, which was more suitable for an active lifestyle vehicle.

The interior was a punishment for the rear passengers in the cab-extended version, but good for the four-door one. The dashboard featured an unusual flowing center stack that connected to the center console, in car-like design inspiration. The two cylindrical dials and a TFT display between them completed the instrument cluster.

For the drivetrain, the 2011 BT50 was offered in two choices of engines: a 2.2-liter good for fleets and a powerful 3.2-liter. The standard transmission was a 6-speed manual, while a 6-speed auto was on the list. The BT50 was available with either rear or 4×4 on demand.