Mazda BT-50 test drive since 2006-
Mazda BT-50
What is the pleasure of traveling on such a purely utilitarian form of transport as a pickupa? What can please the closest relative of the truck with leaf springs in a suspension working as a diesel engine, the ability to take more than 1 tons of cargo on board? The new Mazda BT-50 pickup, preserving the best qualities of an unbearable track, offers new values. The segment of SUVs in Russia is developing seven -miMI steps: in 2006, almost two -time sales growth occurred, but another branch of the family of all -wheel drive pickups is not so popular. Over the past year, sales growth in the segment amounted to only 39%. Why? It seems that we have a lot of hunters, and there are few roads. Fans of outdoor activities are becoming more and more, for whom the pickup, it would seem, is an ideal vehicle. Many build cottages. However, the segment develops slowly. Apparently, the question is in price. Rich farmers are not yet and is not expected. The city residents are not burning with their desire to give a considerable money for an uncomfortable and prestigious half-load-half-man. But both times and pickups are changing!
As Mazda marketing research has shown, today 18% of pickup buyers purchase them not for work, but as a fan car for outdoor activities. Another 20% of pickup owners use their car both for work and to organize leisure time at the weekend. However, there are still very few buyers consider pickups as the only car in the family. Hence the modest sales.
Mazda intends to break the current stereotypes. The BT-50 model tries to step over from the utilitarian segment of pickups into a more prestigious and popular segment of SUVs. The test drive of the car in the vicinity of Athens proved that nothing is impossible. It turns out that in the pickup you can combine a horse and trembling storm.
Varied Mazda BT-50 PR MAZDA BT-50 is proposed in three versions: the Regular Cab (two seats, a long cargo body), the intermediate version of the Free Style Cab (four seats opened in the direction of the second row) and the most dawn Double CAB ( 3-seater rear sofa, full-fledged rear doors). It is the Double CAB that will be delivered to our Russia. Sales of other versions are not yet provided.
Double CAB pickups made up the main array of the test fleet of cars, but I managed to get acquainted on the route from airport to the hotel with the base pickup BT-50 Regular CAB. It is always interesting to try the most affordable and unpretentious version of the car, because the easiest option is usually the most honest. It is the basic version, not camouflaged by all kinds of options, that makes it possible to understand the essence of the car, to reveal its true character.
The version of Regular Cab itself is simplicity: the rear drive, windows and setting mirrors are mechanical, there is no radio or air conditioner, a simple leatherette on the cabin floor. And more than enough emotions! The pickup started as if in the cylinders its engine burned not diesel fuel, but high -octane gasoline! In the 3rd program, the car was even and powerfully accelerated from 30 to 120 km/h as if it were released from a giant slingshot. Ready-made hot-skin! In corners, a 2-seater BT-50 behaved no less chopped. I went too far with gas and light food strives to break into the skid. But to catch a labor car is not due to an adequate reactive effort on the steering wheel and unexpectedly transparent feedback with the wheels. Curious beginning!
Of course, this version does not differ in comfort. Spring suspension transfers road irregularities to the spine. I also wanted to load a ton of useful cargo into the body. Well, more civilized, urban, if you want, the modification of BT-50 we had to experience in the morning.
Noble In the appearance of the new Mazda pickup there is only one detail that issues its relationship with the crowd, an open cargo platform (so far, unfortunately, a branded plastic cover is not offered). The rest of the BT-50 is made according to strict canons that are used to the new-fiber class of crossovers. The gaps between body panels are minimal. A solid front lining uniting the radiator, bumper and headlights gives the car a completely civilized, partly sports appearance.
In the salon, the working and peasant origin is reminiscent of only a rustic (the manufacturer will say a practical) plastic of the front panel. But the design and quality of the interior assembly at the level of modern crossovers. I especially liked the laid, small steering wheel and magnificent in diameter and magnificent in both profile and hardness of the seat such chairs can be envied by drivers of many sedans. As an option, even an CD player for six discs is proposed, the sound volume of which is adjustable depending on speed.
It seems that the main goal of the team of designers and engineers of the new BT-50 was to create maximum comfort for the driver and passengers. They tried to make a pickup comfortable for daily trips. Well,
in my opinion, they succeeded. Given the outstanding abilities of the BT-50 in the transportation of goods (after all, it can take 1220 kg into the body and tow a trailer weighing up to 3000 kg), as well as its uncompromising off-road opportunities, comfort in the salon can be considered exemplary. It shakes, of course, on the irregularities of the asphalt, but it does not shake the soul. The salon is quiet. You can talk without raising your voice even at speeds over 140 km/h. By the way, the maximum speed of the new Mazda pickup is completely uncomfortable 158 km/h. At maximum speeds, the BT-50 control is not difficult: the car is confidently holding a straight line, does not scour, responsive and clearly reacts to the actions of the steering wheel. However, before turning the pickup, it is still better to besiege: a high center of gravity is a bad assistant on a winding road. With a good level of comfort for the driver and passengers, the off-road capabilities of the BT-50 remain at the highest level. We traveled to loose sand, and along the edge of the surf, and on stones, and on a special highway for off -road pokatushki, it seemed that there were no barriers for this car. Mazda BT-50 from that breed about which they say that the cooler the SUV, the further run after the tractor.
Actually, there were no fundamental changes to the BT-50 design. It is based on a staircase frame with cruciform crossbars and scissors type supports. The front suspension on double A-shaped levers with shock absorbers. The rear bridge is indecent, on sheet springs (they are elongated compared to the previous version of 120 mm). In an off -road arsenal, a connected four -wheel drive with remote locking of wheel couplings, a handout with a reducing a number of gears, a differential of increased friction.
The engineers noticeably changed the suspension settings, improved the elements of the steering, increased the sensitivity of the brakes (the brake pedal move was 10% less). All these changes are very important, but, in my opinion, the main thing that has changed the nature of the Mazda pickupa is a new diesel engine. Attention, motor!
It is the motor that turns the utilitarian truck into the same fan car. The MZR-CD diesel 4-cylinder engine was specially designed for a new pickup. Its 2.5 liters are given 143 hp. Already at 3500 rpm. The maximum torque is 330 nm at 1800 rpm! The secret of such impressive indicators four valves per cylinder, two upper camshafts, a turbocharger with variable geometry and intermediate cooling.
None of the BT-50 classmates can boast of such a high torque at such low speeds. As a result, the magnificent responsiveness of the car for the supply of fuel. The pickup rides evenly, without twitching in traffic jams, intensively accelerates from traffic lights, allows you to do overtaking without straining. And of course, a high torque at low speeds is the best weapon during the assault on the road. And thanks to the modern design, the engine is economical: it consumes only 8.9 liters of fuel per 100 km when moving in a combined cycle.
The question of choice
So, can a pickup be the only car in the family? If I had more free time for sorties to nature, while I would build a country house and lived not in Moscow, but somewhere in the Urals, then the Mazda BT-50 is an ideal, almost non-alternative choice. For 30 thousand dollars (this is how much the richest version of the BT-50 will cost in Russia) I get an uncompromising all-around, which allows you to transport myself, family, and goods with all amenities. Alternatives? New Mitsubishi L200 and Ford Ranger. The first for me is too futuristic. The second, sorry for the tautology, is secondary. BT-50 was created by Mazda engineers, and Ranger is just a shifted BT-50. Another argument to change the lifestyle ...
Technical characteristics of Mazda BT-50
Dimensions, mm 5075x1805x1755
Base, mm 3000
Equipped mass, kg 1805
Diesel L4 engine type with turbocharged
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2499
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 143/3500
Max. moment, nm/rpm 330/1800
Mechanical transmission 5-speed
The drive is complete
Max. Speed, km/h 158
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 11.9
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 8.9
Tank volume, l 70
Igor Komarov
Photo of the manufacturer
A source: Avtopanorama magazine
