IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS often, but savvy marketers recognise that the Australian market isn’t the same as other markets, Australian buyers aren’t the same as other buyers and Australian requirements are often unique.
Mazda Australia’s innovative engineering expertise has resulted in a uniquely Australian BT-50 range-topper: the Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
Exclusive to the Australian market, the new Mazda BT-50 Thunder is set to storm dealerships with its aggressive appearance and quality parts developed by Mazda Australia’s in-house engineering team.
“We have been extremely pleased with how the brand-new Mazda BT-50 has been received by our dealer partners, customers and media since its mid-2020 launch,” said Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi.
“The range-topping, uniquely-Australian BT-50 Thunder makes a strong statement with a bold and assertive aesthetic, while retaining the high level of specification and safety attributes expected of a Brand-New BT-50 model,” he said.
From launch an introductory BT-50 Thunder national driveaway price of $65,990 for the Dual Cab 4 x 4 manual and $68,990 for the Dual Cab 4 x 4 automatic applies.
Regular Manufacturer’s Retail Listed Pricing sits at $65,990 (plus on-road costs) for manual BT-50 Thunder, or $68,990 in automatic form.
The Mazda BT-50 Thunder goes on-sale in April, 2021.
Impressive and aggressive
The Mazda BT-50 Thunder’s standard specification is based on the highly-specified BT-50 GT Dual Cab 4 x 4, ensuring the Thunder offers impressive safety, connectivity and capability, whether on-road or off the beaten track.
Created to suit the Australian market’s unique demands, the Mazda BT-50 Thunder stamps its authority immediately, with a bold front-end treatment that includes a single hoop steel bull bar and a Lightforce dual-row LED lightbar.
This aggressive aesthetic extends to the BT-50 Thunder’s side profile, with sinister 18-inch black alloy wheels, wide fender flares and side steps. Moving to the rear reveals a premium sports bar and an advanced electric roller tonneau, which securely covers a tub liner for additional tray protection.
Pulling the visual together is a set of ‘Thunder’ decals applied to the tub sides.
All-up, the additional equipment adds over $13,000 total value (Mazda figures).
Mazda BT-50 Thunder: Drivetrain
Powering the Mazda BT-50 Thunder is the turbocharged 3.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine found in the wider BT-50 range. This unit generates 140kW peak power along with 450Nm torque, the latter provided from 1600 to 2600rpm for exceptional pulling power.
Combined-cycle fuel economy is listed at 7.7L/100km when fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, or 8.0L/100km when optioning the six-speed automatic transmission.
A dual-range 4 x 4 system is fitted as standard, with switchable locking rear differential for further improved traction.
Key specification highlights
In addition to the bespoke specifications listed above, Mazda BT-50 Thunder shares the same safe, technologically advanced yet mechanically robust specification as the BT-50 GT grade, including:
- Power-adjustable chrome exterior mirrors with power folding and heating functions
- Brown leather upholstery
- Driver’s seat with 8-way power adjustment
- Heated front seats
- Remote engine start (automatic transmission)
- Front parking sensors
- LED Headlamps with auto levelling
- LED front fog lamps
- LED signature daytime running lamps
- Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning with rear vents
- Leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob
- Auto-dimming interior mirror
- Rear seat with centre armrest
- 9-inch full-colour infotainment touchscreen
- Satellite navigation
- Advanced keyless entry
- Power windows
- Carpeted floors
- Cruise Control (manual transmission)
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go (automatic transmission)
- Apple CarPlay (wireless and USB) and Android Auto (USB)
- Bluetooth hands-free telephone and audio capability
- DAB+ digital radio
- Reverse camera
- Rear-seat USB charging point
- Airbags SRS (driver, front passenger, side, curtain, driver’s knee and driver’s far-side)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Attention Assist
- Automatic High Beam (AHB)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) – Overtaking
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Hill Descent Control (HDC)
- Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
- Lane-keep Assist System (LAS) (automatic transmission only)
- Locking Rear Differential (LRD) – switchable on/off
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Roll Over Protection (ROP)
- Secondary Collision Reduction
- Speed Assist System
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Turn Assist
All Mazda BT-50 exterior colours (Ice White, True Black Mica, Ingot Silver Metallic, Concrete Grey Mica, Gun Blue Mica, Rock Grey Mica and Red Volcano Mica) are available for BT-50 Thunder, at no additional cost.
Peace of mind with Guaranteed Future Value via Mazda Assured
When purchasing through Mazda Finance’s Mazda Assured program, Mazda BT-50 customers benefit from Guaranteed Future Value (conditions apply, of course). This offers lower monthly repayments (compared to a similar term with no Guaranteed Future Value or equivalent balloon final payment) and locks in what the vehicle will be worth to Mazda Finance at the end of the loan (subject to fair wear and tear and agreed kilometres being met) the vehicle’s future trade-in price before the customer drives away.
Warranty and servicing
Mazda BT-50 customers benefit from a comprehensive five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with complimentary roadside assist for the warranty’s duration.
Servicing intervals are set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.