Mazda BT-50 gains 2.2-litre diesel and eight-speed auto

Mazda has added a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine to the BT-50 range, replacing the smaller 1.9 and bringing more grunt and the option of 4WD.

The engine is the same four-cylinder recently rolled out in the Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X. It makes 120kW at 3600rpm and 400Nm from 1600rpm – 10kW and 50Nm more than the outgoing 1.9. Power is sent through a new Aisin eight-speed auto, which also helps trim fuel use by around 0.7L/100km and drops CO2 emissions by up to 17g/km.

This 2.2 is only available in the entry-level XS grade, offered as a Single Cab Chassis, Dual Cab Chassis, or Dual Cab Pickup. Standard kit includes LED headlights, adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, reversing camera, and wireless phone connectivity. The Dual Cab Pickup scores alloy wheels, while the rest keep steel.

Unlike the old 1.9, buyers can now spec the 2.2 as a 4×4 Dual Cab – opening it up as a more useful platform for touring or fleet work.

Elsewhere in the BT-50 line-up, the 3.0-litre engine gets idle stop-start, which Mazda says can cut fuel use by up to 11 per cent, while XTR and GT 4×4 Dual Cab Chassis models now come with a towbar as standard. The range continues unchanged with XS, XT, XTR, GT and SP grades.

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The updated BT-50 goes on sale nationwide from October, with Mazda Genuine Accessories available and covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty when fitted before delivery.

The shared 2.2-litre update is another reminder of the close collaboration between Mazda and Isuzu, with both brands now co-developing the BT-50 and D-Max platforms and powertrains.

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