Mazda Australia has just unveiled a new flagship version of the BT-50 pickup truck, dubbed the BT-50 Thunder. Created exclusively to meet the demands of Aussie customers, the BT-50 Thunder directly rivals the Toyota Hilux Rugged X and Nissan Navara N-Trek Warrior. It is based on the BT-50 GT Dual Cab 4×4 and will go on sale in April from AU$ 65,990 (US$ 50,500) including on-road costs for the Dual Cab 4×4 manual and AU$ 68,990 (US$ 52,795) including on-roads for the Dual Cab 4×4 automatic.
Immediately differentiating the Thunder
from other variants is a bespoke steel bull bar and a Lightforce dual-row LED
lightbar at the front. Mazda has also equipped the pickup with distinctive
18-inch black alloy wheels, flared fenders, and new side steps. Other
modifications include the fitment of a sports bar over the bed and an electric
roller tonneau cover that sits above a tub liner.
Mazda says the modifications made to the
BT-50 Thunder add up to over AU$13,000 (US$ 9,948) of upgrades. Like other BT-50
models, the Thunder features a turbocharged 3.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that
produces 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque between 1,600 rpm and
2,600 rpm. When optioned with the six-speed manual transmission, the truck
consumes 7.7 l/100 km (30.5 mpg US) or 8.0 l/100 km (29.4 mpg US) with the
six-speed automatic. As standard, the truck has a dual-range 4×4 system with a
switchable locking rear differential.
Prospective buyers of the BT-50 Thunder
will be able to choose between Ice White, True Black Mica, Ingot Silver
Metallic, Concrete Grey Mica, Gun Blue Mica, Rock Grey Mica, and Red Volcano
Mica.
