New Mazda BT-50 2021 detailed: Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger-fighting ute landing later this year

Mazda has finally ripped the covers off its all-new BT-50 ute, which is earmarked to arrive in local showrooms by the end of the year.

As previously reported, the third-generation BT-50 will share its underpinnings with the Isuzu D-Max, ending Mazda’s long-running pick-up partnership with Ford and its Ranger.

From the outside, the new BT-50 wears Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language, which means a unique front grille, bumper and headlights to keep it in line with its CX-9, CX-5 and Mazda3 stablemates.

The tail-lights, wheels, and tail-gate are also unique Mazda components.

Inside, the BT-50 sports a large multimedia touchscreen system, complete with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, as well as chunky switchgear and uniquely-shaped air-vents.

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Keen-eyed car spotters will note that the steering wheel and instrumentation are the same as the D-Max, albeit with Mazda’s own touches.

Mazda’s new BT-50 uses the same platform and engine as the Isuzu D-Max, but body panels and styling are mostly unique.

The third-generation BT-50 will share its underpinnings with the Isuzu D-Max.

Under the bonnet of the BT-50 is a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, outputting 140kW/450Nm.

The new BT-50 wears Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language, which means a unique front grille, bumper and headlights.

The tail-lights, wheels, and tail-gate are also unique Mazda components.

Mazda is yet to confirm, but expect to see a full suite of body styles available on the new BT-50, including single cab, cab chassis and dual-cab versions.

The BT-50 sports a large multimedia touchscreen system, complete with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.

Under the bonnet of the BT-50 is a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, outputting 140kW/450Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new BT-50 is down 7kW/20Nm compared with the outgoing model's Ford-sourced 147kW/470NM 3.2-litre turbo-diesel five-cylinder engine.

The current BT-50 is also offered with a 110kW/375Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, also sourced from Ford, in lower-spec grades, but it is expected the new Mazda ute will use a single powertrain across its whole line-up.

The new BT-50 is expected to improve on the current car’s fuel economy figure due to less overall weight and a more efficient engine, though by how much is not yet revealed.

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Payload and towing are also competitive at 1000 and 3500kg respectively.

Mazda is yet to confirm, but expect to see a full suite of body styles available on the new BT-50, including single cab, cab chassis and dual-cab versions, as well as 4x2 and 4x4 options in manual and automatic.

The Japanese brand is also aiming for a full five-star ANCAP safety rating, with features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring to be included as standard.

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It is also understood that the BT-50 will feature a centre side airbag between the driver and front passenger to adhere to the stricter 2020 ANCAP standards, while also being one of the first utes to have a solid anchoring point for the middle seat top tether, instead of a fabric loop.

Full pricing and spec details are expected closer to launch, but for reference, the current BT-50 starts at $29,060 before on-road costs, and extends to $63,250.