Mazda BT-50 owners can add a bit of luxe to their work ute.
The Japanese brand is now adding an infotainment and sound package option to GT, SP, Thunder, XTR, XTR LE dual-cab variants and the XTR cab chassis grade.
The optional extra swaps out the standard nine-inch multimedia touchscreen for an 11-inch unit that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tidal audio streaming app is also included.
It’s not an official Mazda part, though. Instead it's developed by Alpine Electronics and the better stereo comes with upgraded speakers and additional tweeters. Off-road navigation maps with 4x4 tracks built in are also included.
This upgrade doesn’t come cheap and costs $3447 and another $1495 for installation.
Mazda notes this price may vary from dealer to dealer.
The upgrade is classed as a Mazda Genuine Accessory and is fitted by the dealer. It comes with a standard five year warranty when rolled into the new vehicle purchase.
“Already the complete package, the Mazda BT-50 now offers owners an even more enjoyable in-car experience,” said Alastair Doak, Marketing Director of Mazda Australia.
“This new Premium Infotainment Upgrade package is ideal for drivers who enjoy high-quality car audio, and it’s an ideal companion for longer trips on the open road.”
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This upgrade boosts the BT-50’s entertainment features to a similar level to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
That model has a 12.0-inch multimedia screen and comes standard with a 10-speaker B&O stereo, along with wireless smartphone connectivity.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak with a beefy V6 turbodiesel engine is considerably more expensive than the BT-50, priced at about $75,000 (before on-road costs).
This addition gives the BT-50 a pricey freshen up to fight back against more popular competitors.
Through the first four months of this year Mazda has sold a smidge less than 4000 of the lucrative dual-cab variants.
Ford has sold close to 20,000 and Toyota about 15,000 dual-cabs in the same period. Isuzu and Mitsubishi have each sold significantly more of their workhorses, too.