AIMS to host Mazda BT-50 Freestyle

Global debut in Melbourne for new variant of Mazda's upcoming pick-up

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Mazda continues rolling out news of the BT-50 light commercial vehicle scheduled to go on sale here later this year.

Today the importer announced that the Freestyle variants in the range would be revealed at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) next month. The unveiling here — a world first — is a coup for Mazda's local arm, which is buoyed by its ongoing sales success in Australia.

"Just as we were delighted to be given the privilege of hosting the global debut of the All-New BT-50 Dual Cab in Sydney last year, we are equally delighted to be hosting the global debut of the Freestyle Cab in Melbourne this year," Mazda MD Doug Dickson was quoted as saying in a press release today.

"With Australia expected to be the largest market for the All-New BT-50 it's no coincidence that we've been asked to host not one but two global unveilings of this important new model. It's only appropriate that the Australian public see it first."

The BT-50 is being developed for Mazda by Ford Australia, as part of its T6 Ranger program. Both vehicles will be built in Thailand for Australian consumption. Ford sells variants of the Ranger equivalent to Mazda's BT-50 Freestyle, but the Ford offering is marketed as the Ranger Super Cab. That situation is anticipated to continue once the 'T6' models arrive in the local market.

Mazda advises the cargo volume for the new Freestyle variants will be 1453 litres, an increase of 266 over the current model's. With the removable jump seats in the rear, the Freestyle BT-50 provides enhanced flexibility for vehicle owners. It can be a family car at weekends and a work ute Monday to Friday. Tradies can remove the rear seats to free up additional secure space for tools and other items.

Since the rear-seat access would be very tight otherwise, the Freestyle concept does away with the B pillars. According to Mazda, the width of the aperture formed by opening the front and rear ('suicide') doors measures 1408mm for the new model. The rear doors open to an angle of almost 90 degrees, the company also claims. Furthermore, the new model features rear seats that are 50mm longer in the cushion and support child safety seats.

Once both the dual cab and Freestyle models are unveiled, only the BT-50 single cab variants remain to be seen by the public in the lead-up to the LCV's local launch.

Further information concerning the BT-50: