2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck
The new Mazda BT-50 one-ton pickup truck will be unveiled during the 2006 Bangkok Motor Show that will be held from March 22 through April 2 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center, Thailand.
The new truck, which is essentially a slightly upgraded Mazda B-4000 pickup well known to the American customers, will replace the older Mazda Fighter commercial vehicle.
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (side view)
Anyway, the work-horse features either 3.0-liter diesel inline-four transplanted here directly from the Ford Ranger pickup (and available only with the 4WD models) or a new 2.5-liter MZR-CD direct-injection turbo oil-burner with common-rail system.
Churning out about 141bhp of power, the smaller engine makes the BT-50 more powerful than the Mitsubishi L200 (134bhp) and the Toyota Hilux 2.5-liter D-4D (134 hp) but makes it suck a great deal comparing to the new Nissan Navara with its much more impressive 169bhp.
Unfortunately, Mazda doesn’t go into details yet as to the truck’s performance and fuel consumption, although claiming ‘an exciting blend of sophisticated design, refinement, responsive handling and dynamic performance’.
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (rear view)
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (interior, side view)
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (interior, side view)
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (interior, cup holders and central storage space)
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck (interior, central tunnel, gear shifter)
Photos: Mazda
2006 Mazda BT-50 pickup truck technical specifications:
Estimated price: N/A
Body Type: pickup truck (4×2 and 4×4 Single Cab, 4×4 Double Cab)
Layout: front engine, RWD or 4WD
Engine: 156 PS @ 3200 rpm, 280 lb ft (380 Nm) @ 1800 rpm of torque, 3.0-liter / 143 PS @ 3500 rpm, 243 lb ft (330 Nm) @ 1800 rpm of torque, 2.5-liter
Transmission: N/A
Top Speed: 98 mph (157 km/h)
0 – 62 mph: 10.4 seconds
Fuel Economy combined mpg (l/100 km): 30.4 (7.74)
Exterior Dimensions (L/W/H/WB) mm: 5075 / 1805 / 1755 or 1760 / N/A
Ground clearance: N/A
Track (frt/rr): N/A / N/A
Curb to curb turning circle: N/A
Curb Weight: 1625/1694 (2.5 MZR-CD Diesel) or 1879/1976 (3.0 MZR-CD Diesel)
Coefficient of Drag (Cd): N/A
Seating Capacity: 2 or 5 (2/3)
Cargo Volume (seats DO NOT fold): N/A
Payload (max w/ occupants and cargo): N/A
Towing Capacity (max): N/A
Direct Competitors: Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara