It looks like it won’t be long before Mazda launches its all-new pick-up truck in the Philippines. After making its world debut in Australia, Mazda has previewed the 2021 BT-50 in Thailand.
With that, Thailand is the first to receive it in ASEAN. This also marks the eventual arrival of the next-gen pick-up truck in other parts of the region. But what will we be getting exactly?
Let’s start with the dimensions. According to our friends at headlightmag.com, the pick-up truck will measure 5280mm long, 1870mm wide, 1790mm tall, along with a 3125mm wheelbase. That means the ASEAN-spec BT-50 will have the same dimensions as the one in Australia.
Design-wise, the Thai-spec BT-50 looks the same as the one revealed six months ago. It gets the same signature front grille and headlight design, stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, and a unique set of taillights. It will also be available with LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 265/60/R18 tires, roof rails, and automatic windshield wipers.
Inside, both the steering wheel and the seats can be specified with leather and complemented by piano black trim pieces. It also has a 4.2-inch multi-info display, automatic climate control with rear vents, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation system, and an 8-speaker sound system.
Under the hood, the ASEAN-spec BT-50 will come with two engine choices derived from the all-new Isuzu D-Max. First up is the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel that first debuted in The Land Down Under. Called the 4JJ3-TCX, it makes 190 PS along with 450 Nm of torque. The other engine is the 1.9-liter RZ4E turbo-diesel that puts out 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Transmission options available for the BT-50 include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic.
In terms of safety equipment, the BT-50 will have anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, stability and traction control, six airbags, parking sensors, reverse camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and electronic rear differential lock for the 4x4 models.
Mazda Thailand will officially launch the all-new BT-50 in January 2021. When will the Philippine market get it? We will still have to wait for word on that. Given that Isuzu Philippines Corp. has already announced that the all-new D-Max will be arriving next year, the BT-50 may closely follow suit.