Test Drive Mazda B Series (Bravo) Freestyle Cab since 1999 Pickup

"Gemini" on diesel

Nothing with such an obvious proves the entry of Mazda to Ford, as a quick look at the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger.
 

Two pickups produced for the Russian market at one plant in Thailand are similar to that change the places in the hoods really do not understand what. However, at the junction of 2006-2007, when their immediate competitor and the market leader Mitsubishi L200 is experiencing a change of generations, it is Mazda and Ford who became the only players in the budget market and, at the same time, non-Chinese pickups.

 

Test 1: While the engine is silent
Imagine: We have transported cars respected worldwide manufacturers that have long proven their consistency in a wide variety of automotive segments. Both have good off-road characteristics, capable of carrying more tons of cargo, and stand at times cheaper than any Corrifer 4x4. Even without sitting in the salon, you can guess, at the expense of what.
 

Pickup is a modest interior, asceticism in the cabin, a small space for the rear passengers. There are, of course, exceptions (for example, Nissan Navara), but our heroes will not call exceptions. In decoration of salons, designer thought worked at a minimum. All materials are inexpensive, but there is no complaints to assembly: nothing is noise and does not creak (at least) each of the subjects passed no more than 1,000 km.

 

Test 2: Solyarki do not regret!
Behind the wheel of a pickup, you can unmistakably determine the quality of the road surface. We are going through an unloaded Cad, and feel the fifth point: here it is close to the perfect, and then the asphalt is laid, gently say, it does not matter. It is worth the pickup to dial the speed and each irregularity is twice as much as the body. Shakes pretty, and only on a practically perfect road we achieve comfort for your back and ears.
 

Is it appropriate in this case to talk about choosing? After all, probably no more similar to each other machines than two pickups, utility and purpose of which determine all: handling, permeability, elegance (more precisely, its absence), comfort and there is another design, one engine and one insignificant exceptions ; Finally, one very honorable age: neither b-series nor Ranger has changed over the past decade.
 
Well, what should I do? The rear spring suspension makes the stern jump on any irregularity. She forces it particularly gently behave in steep turns on the country highway. I did not calculate a bit and pickup instantly brings, forcing you to make all the skill to align the trajectory.

 

Both cars accelerate very nervously. The first and second transmission are so short that, if you can gain speed, in the first seconds you do it, constantly pulling the trembling lever of the PPC. The third is the third on which Turbodiesel manifests itself from the best side.
 

On the asphalt, the only reasonable rear drive mode. This goes more dynamic and more economical; Yes, besides, the technical features of the transmission of Part-Time 4WD do not allow to abuse the on-wheel drive.
 

Test 3: in a limited space
And here we are far from the city; I moved away from the main highway, but the road did not get worse. To the cottage village Green Village, the end item of our trip, leads an amazing level road. And on the territory of the complex off-road opportunities will not evaluate. But you can check the review and maneuverability. We check in the Brazilian system: we strictly warn us that for the print of the wheel on a beautiful lawn, a stable fine is relying. And I want to drive to the gingerbread house

 

Side lops mirrors, coupled with a high planting, it would seem, completely exclude the possibility of failure. The only problem is that it is inconvenient to regulate the mirrors (and it is necessary to do it regularly, so as not to touch the ridges of stones and trees), since regulatory levers are under the steering column: and not visible, and you have to reach. Perhaps, in a more difficult situation was the driver of Mazda: the same challenged for both pickups. Overview. For this reason, the salon mirror was used extremely rare. And, nevertheless, the Budget of the Wheel remained untouched!
 

Test 4: When the road ends
Perhaps the main test. Here you will also need power, and clearance, and even visibility for machines, the main function of which is not to go, and carry, both pickups have amazing permeability. Still: clearance more than many SUVs, the architecture of the chassis guarantees large angles of entry; Plus, there is a complete drive with downstream. Powerful thrust allowed to climb enough steep slides, and both in front and back.
 

Prices
The most accessible from the Pickups of Mazda B2500. It can be purchased from $ 22,400. For this money, there is a 4-door pickup with a 2.5-liter 109-strong turbodiesel, a 5-speed manual transmission, two frontal airbags, electric drive glasses and side mirrors, adjustment of the steering wheel in height. The top version, where there is already air conditioning, ABS, heated seats and metal steps cost $ 28,100 Ford Ranger can be purchased from $ 23,600.
 

The base version of XL includes the same 2.5-liter 109-horsepower turbodiesel, 5-speed manual transmission, two frontal airbags, electric windows and an electric camera, immobilizer, metallic color, radio tape recorder. The top version with ABS, front fog lights and leather interior costs $ 29,840.
 

With visibility worse: when the bill goes to millimeters to stones or corping at the rear wheel, there was not enough visibility to ask for help from colleagues. Yes, and the headlights of both pickups are weak. When it was dark, they covered the road, gently say, it doesn't matter, and it is good that the overwhelming majority of road obstacles for Mazda and Ford are not. Thank you great passability!
 

What preferred for Ford or Mazda? It may seem that there is no special difference, but this is not so. Conventional criteria for comparison are not suitable here: after all, they have too much. When evaluating, you need to take into account the difference in the equipment: both pickups in some way divorced the Ranger comes to us in richer, but also, respectively, more expensive versions.


We also recommend asking for dealerships in terms of installing additional equipment, because here it really is what to think about in my opinion, Kung and the kenguryatnik will be worth it. In addition, you should not forget that Mazda will soon present a new generation of B-Series in Russia.
 

P.S. The journal of the wheel expresses sincere thanks to the center of year-round recreation Green Village (Karelian Sheets, 79th km of the Priozersky Highway) for helping in organizing photography.
 

Cars are provided for test by Euro Motors companies, official Ford dealer, and Eurosib-auto official Mazda dealer


Text: Ilya Orekhov
Photo: Roman Stunnin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A source: Magazine "Wheels" [№111 / 2007]