Even though the Japanese carmaker calls the 2018 Mazda BT-50 model redesigned, the workhorse won’t be essentially different from its predecessor. No, because the upcoming vehicle will be just facelifted and nothing more. Okay, Mazda has lowered center of gravity in order to make ride sleeker, but that’s pretty much everything regarding the improvements.
The refreshed 2018 BT-50 looks better from the current offer thanks to a few styling changes here and there. However, the carmaker hasn’t brought any essential improvement this time. If you expect some of today’s standard features such as wireless charging or Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, we must disappoint you, because the refreshed model won’t offer any of the options. Moreover, the pickup truck will be pretty much carried over inside. On the other hand, the exterior hosts some interesting new characteristics like a new front bumper which is fitted with different fog light surrounds. It’s also paired with redesigned air intakes and a new skid plate. The pickup gets a new grille as well, but that’s pretty much everything.
According to the carmaker, the 2018 Mazda BT-50 will retain today’s engine option. More precisely, the ute will continue to use a 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The Power-stroke unit delivers 185 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It’s important to say that Mazda’s only pickup still shares the same underpinnings with the Raptor. Still, this doesn’t make it as good as blue oval’s truck. No, because the new Ranger hosts a different and more potent oil-burner under the hood. Yes, Ford has introduced the Ranger Raptor mated to a 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel that produces 210 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
Essentially, the Japanese carmaker wants to keep us busy until the arrival of the new-gen BT-50. The refreshed option will probably be available around two years and after that, it should be replaced with an Isuzu D-Max-based pickup truck.
Anyway, the fresh ute will be introduced in Australia this May.