Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

It looks like the Ford Ranger’s Japanese cousin is here – these shots of a few units of the Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck was sent in by reader Firdaus, who spotted them in the Westport car yard.

The BT-50 pick-up truck made its debut at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show and like the Ranger, it’s available in a few body styles including a double cab as well as a “Freestyle” body which uses RX-8 style rear hinged access into a small “supplementary” rear cabin area.

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

According to the truck’s chief designer Ryo Yanagisawa, the new Mazda BT-50 was apparently inspired by a picture of a lion – a magnificent predator, with his muscles all bunching up as though he was about to pounce on his prey. It has a pretty car-like interior too.

Engine choices include either a 2.2 litre four cylinder turbodiesel making 150 PS and 375Nm of torque, or a powerful 3.2 litre five cylinder turbodiesel making 200 PS and 470Nm of torque, which on paper looks identical to the Ranger’s specs.

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport
Mazda BT-50 pick-up truck sighted at Westport

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