Mazda BT-50 test drive since 2006-
Mazda BT-50: Universal pioneer
Only having realized the complexity of the task set before the pickup engineers and swinging on it in a variety of modes, you are imbued with the BT-50 Mazda in genuine respect. Improve the pickup lesson. However, the market situation pushes manufacturers to update already successful models, for example, such as the Mazda B-series, renamed BT-50.
What are buyers usually expect from pickups? Firstly, reliability and unpretentiousness in operation, and secondly, good patency. Further, depending on the driver’s priorities, a favorable price, a convenient interior, a large cargo platform, good running qualities on asphalt, etc. follow. Moreover, some requirements sometimes contradict each other. For example, how to make a commercial car designed to transport a ton of cargo in a body comfortable in an unloaded position, and even keep the price of the basic version within 611,000 rubles? We took the top version with an abundance of options for the test, and its price is 822,000 rubles.
Only having realized the complexity of the task set before the pickup engineers and swinging on it in a variety of modes, you are imbued with the BT-50 Mazda in genuine respect.
The test began with a trip out of town for 350 km, and it also rained along the way. When accelerating from a traffic light, pickups can be mistaken for a real sports car. Hard universal tires that are not adapted for rain, and even the lack of load on the rear axle allow you to arrange real drifting. And thanks to a long wheelbase, the drift angle always manages to control: the main thing is to twist the long steering wheel, which makes exactly 4 turns from the stop to the stop. Moreover, the thrust of the turbodiesel is so great that the wheels can be slipped even in third gear. Fans of safe driving can solve the problem just a lever on the tunnel to connect the front bridge, and the pickup instead of polishing asphalt, with excellent acceleration will rush forward. However, we must not forget that such a technique is applicable only on wet or slippery coating. The front bridge is connected rigidly, without a central differential, which leads to increased loads on the motor and transmission in corners, and at the same time increases the wear of the tires, and the rotation is slightly suffering. But acceleration wins many times.
On the suburban highway, the Mazda was surprisingly with a flush: at the end of the long straight, the speedometer arrow reached 175 km/h, although according to the factory data, the maximum speed does not exceed 158 km/h. It is difficult to say that this is a speedometer error or a fair wind. Perhaps the reason is cool weather, because the turbodiesel craving depends noticeably on the external factors than the air pressure, the more efficient the turbocharger works. With a calm ride on the choice of gears, you can not think at all, and only by overtaking outside the city, it is advisable to maintain the engine speed above 2500 rpm, although the turbine lift is noticeable after 1,500 rpm. By the way, according to the results of the voyage, the average fuel consumption of the pickupa was about 9 liters, which is a very good indicator for a 2-ton car.
The only thing that interferes at high speed is the vertical buildup of the front: it seems that the torsion suspension copes poorly with the load imposed on it or the shock absorbers are somewhat handed over after exhausting test work. Otherwise, it is not difficult to control the pickupa. Mazda reacts to the deviations of the steering wheel with the restrained and quite expected laziness, and the brakes suddenly cope well with their task. Of course, in the bend of the pickup, it is pretty rushed and even tearing one rear wheel from the road, but this does not threaten stability, at least until the car is loaded ... It is sinful to keep such a monster in the garage. And here we are with the BT-50 already storm off-road. At first, the village country was quite able to pass even on the backdress of the suspensions so large that there is simply no dangers to hang the wheels. On diagonal hanging, twisting the spar frame is also noticeable, which is pretty creaks, but not a single wheel of contact with the road loses. Full-wheel drive had to be involved when the rear tires with a universal tread on clay surrendered to be more likely, BT-50 would continue to make his way on the backdress. On off -road, it is better to immediately combine all -wheel drive with a reduced gear. The supply of traction immediately increases by one and a half times and on large bumps by the machine is more convenient to control. And for acceleration before the assault, the barriers can be skipped through the transmission of the pickupa confidently gaining speed.
Having rolled out plenty, you can look around in the cabin. The quality of the plastic is quite expected from a car of this class and at such a price it is absolutely hard, but the dust and any dirt that could get into the interior while overcoming the barriers easily removes from it. Our BT-50 in the maximum configuration was equipped with the CD-MR3 Chander no more special bells and whistles were noticed. Air conditioning, electric package and remote control of the central locking lock for a long time is already considered a minimum for any car more than 25 thousand dollars. But most of all was impressed by the retractable handbrake, although he is unlikely to be a novelty to fans of SUVs. By the way, it was quite convenient to use it, and on the tunnel there was a place for cup holders and containers for trifles. The back row of seats is significantly less comfortable. In principle, there are enough places in all directions even for three, but a hard shop forces to take a landing with knees at chest level, and it shakes here pretty without fastening, you can get your head to the ceiling.
But what the pickup was pleasantly surprised, so it is silence in the cabin without raising the voice even at a speed of 150 km/h, that a car of this class is a great result. All noises, just like small potholes, remain somewhere far beyond the salon. So on the BT-50 you can quite go on a long journey, only preferably together or three, so that the seated one can go lying down. Despite the fact that the BT-50 made a very good impression, we parted with him without much regret, although with a firm agreement to periodically meet and get out into nature together. Advantages such as high planting, patency and low consumption of diesel fuel in combination with quite confident dynamics are undeniable. But on the waves, vertical buildup announces. Although for people involved in the construction of a summer residence or loving outdoor activities in the wild, a pickupian may well become the first and only car in the family.
It turns out that the last generation of pickups, such as Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200 and Mazda BT-50, is essentially replaced by traditional SUVs that were produced 10-15 years ago. The very ones that were intended precisely in order to knead dirt and survive in these conditions for decades, and not to be a reflection of the ego of the owner and demonstrate almost slight dynamics and handling on asphalt. Already, most pickups are sold with a superstructure that turns a truck into a traditional SUV. And if the demand for pickups continues to grow, then probably the appearance of shortened versions with an ordinary universal body is probably not far off. Thus, the automotive evolution will make a round and return to the former orbit, where UAZ Patriot still lives and such real crooks.
P.S. When asked what the BT-50 abbreviation means, the marketer Mazda answered evasively. However, in the end, it still admitted nothing. Unless this mention of previous pickups, and the rest, as they say, is for a red word. Although it would be possible to enter the pickup into the existing slender neiming of the Japanese lineup, say, Mazda BT-9 or Mazda Breaktrue.
P.S.S. While the pickup was on our test, a friend needed to take out a full coupe of watermelons and melons from Uzbekistan from the station. So, 800 kg of melons climbed into the pickup body, which were well sold. It turns out that instead of putting a stationary tent, you can drive up to the most crowded places on the BT-50, which guarantees excellent sale and lack of payments for a place. As they say, the business was a success.
Text: Leonid Pavlov
Pros:
Cross -country ability
Price
Economical and tracted motor
Minuses:
Uncomfortable rear seats
Taping the body
The price of the tested car is 822,000 rubles
The set of the tested car:
Frontary airbags
Side airbags
Abs
A full -wheel drive transmission
Steering amplifier
Adjustable steering column in height
Electric heating of the front seats
Remote Central Castle
Air conditioning
Electric drive and heating of external mirrors
Electr -glass lifts are front
Rear electric windows
CD-audio system
CD changer
Fog lights
Alloy wheels
Full -size spare wheel
Coloring metallic
Specifications:
Body dimensions, mm 1530/1456
Body
Body type 4-door pickup
The number of places 5
Equipped mass, kg 1968
Full mass, kg 3030
Length, mm 5075
Width, mm 1805
Height, mm 1755
Wheel base, mm 3000
Road clearance, mm 205
Engine
Type turbodiesel with intermediate cooler
Front location, longitudinally
Location and number of cylinders R4
Working volume, cm 2499
Cylinder diameter/piston stroke, mm 93x92
The degree of compression is 18
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Maximum power, L.S./rpm 143/3500
Maximum torque, Nm/rpm 330/1800
Transmission
Gearbox 5-speed, mechanical
The drive is full -connected with a demultiplier
The front suspension is independent, torsion
The rear suspension dependent, spring
Front brakes Disco ventilated
The rear brakes are drum
Tires 245/70 R16
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km/h 158
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, from 12.5
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
city cycle 10.9
country cycle 7.8
mixed cycle 8.9
Fuel tank capacity, l 70
Fuel DT
A source: Carclub.ru
