Introducing the BT50 Thunder

Mazda has recently launched the BT-50 Thunder, the brand's new flagship in its dual-cab ute range. Introduced only in Australia, the new Mazda BT50 Thunder comes with a stylish, bold look that is perfect for urban driving. It is also equipped with a range of great functionalities for off-road touring. You shouldn't miss this BT50 for sale, especially when you love to cruise Australia's cities and open roads in a dependable yet sophisticated looking 4x4.

The BT-50 Thunder is based on Mazda's existing, top-range BT-50 GT dual-cab 4x4. It rivals Nissan's Navara N-Trek Warrior and Toyota's Hilux Rugged X, considering that they all deliver similar packages.

Don't let the look of the Mazda BT50 2021 fool you. Despite the BT-50 range having a more urban-friendly appeal these days, the Thunder is still built for the off-roading adventures that Australians love.

This massive Mazda flagship is 1790mm high, 1870mm wide and 5470mm long, which is much longer than the 5280mm length of a standard GT. It has a wheelbase length of 3125mm. The kerb weight for the Thunder is listed as 2203kg for the manual and 2213kg for the automatic.

What's New from the BT-50?

In addition to the standard features of Mazda's existing BT-50 GT, the company's in-house engineering team in Australia has designed and added a variety of lifestyle-focused and off-road auto parts, which cater to Australians' keenness to maximise the off-road capabilities of the BT-50 range and similar dual-cab models.

On the front, the new Mazda BT50 Thunder features a single-hoop steel bull-bar integrated with a Lightforce dual-row LED lightbar, a perfect design for off-road tours across the country where you could be driving from evening to dawn.

The sides sport black, matte anti-slip side steps and wide wheel-arch flares, giving the vehicle its tough, brazen appeal with a seamless design. The rear fenders feature the Thunder decals in bold, uppercase letters.

 

At the back, a sailplane-style sports bar is another unique feature of this Mazda BT50 2021 compared to the older GT model. The newer flagship also comes with a tub liner and a roller tonneau cover that is operated electronically.

The Thunder rides on black 18-inch alloy wheels. It uses Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II tires, which are fine for general driving with a bit of light off-road touring. You can have the rubbers replaced, though to tougher, all-terrain ones if you're thinking of doing countryside getaways more often.

The Mazda BT50 2021 is highly customisable, as it comes with a wide catalogue of accessories and add-ons, including rubber floor mats, suspension upgrades, ladder racks and seat covers. You can definitely give your Thunder a bespoke look and functionality to suit your unique lifestyle perfectly. Unlike other auto brands, these add-ons are installed by the dealers that add the bespoke components in Melbourne production floors prior to being sent to the showrooms. On another note, many of the Thunder's add-ons can also be individually opted on a regular BT-50 vehicle.

The standard equipment, suspension and engine power from the GT remained in the Thunder. This means that the newest model is still equipped with the three-litre four-cylinder Isuzu turbo-diesel engine that runs the Thunder to 450Nm and 140kW with six-speed transmissions.

Interiors Exude a Sense of Control and Calm

The interior of the Mazda Thunder exudes a soft chroma brown appeal, and there is plenty of comfort and entertainment for both the driver and the passengers.

The Thunder features a nine-inch multimedia touchscreen with satellite navigation, digital radio and a reversing camera. Bluetooth connectivity is also available. The infotainment system can also handle Android Auto (wired only) and Apple CarPlay (both wired and wireless), so you can access your car's feature without much hassle through your smartphone.

The cabin controls are easy to find and operate. A 12-volt socket is available. There are also USB ports, specifically below the dashboard and behind the centre console, for the back passengers to use.

The Thunder boasts of having a driver-centric interior design. You can have an enjoyable ride sitting on the comfy leather seats. The front seats are also heated, which adds comfort even if you are on a long drive. Aside from this, the driver's seat is also highly adjustable with its eight-way setting.

Passengers at the back will still be comfortable with ample space, capable of seating three adults. They can adjust their share of the dual-zone climate control system through the directional air vents. Adults with kids will also be happy to know that the rear row has room for two child seats, thanks to the ISOFIX anchor points on the sides and a top-tether point in the middle.

Storage is not a problem inside the Thunder, as there are plenty of spaces available aside from the usual containers for your everyday items. So whether you're driving for a quick weekend getaway or a long regional tour, you won't have to worry. For one, cup holders are available in the fold-down arm-rest at the back-row seats and the central console. Bottle holders are also available in the doors. Map pockets and a fold-out shopping bag hook are available behind the two front seats. Under the back seats, shallow storage is available for some of your gear.

Off-Road Driving for Pleasant Getaways

As previously mentioned, Mazda's local engineers in Australia added new features to the BT-50 GT model to create the Thunder, an effort to cater to the auto enthusiasts who love to explore the off-road potential of the BT-50 range. The Thunder doesn't disappoint.

When it comes to off-the-road measurements, the Thunder has a ground clearance of 240mm and can wade through a flood of 800mm deep. It has an approach angle of 25.8 degrees, departure angle of 24.2 degrees and ramp-over 23.8 degrees. Such angle measurements mean that the Thunder is perfect for light off-roading adventures.

On a hilly dirt-track path, all you require is low-range gearing, and you won't have to bring the Thunder into hardcore mode. Sustained and controlled momentum is what at works on that type of terrain, thanks to the Thunder's good gearing, effective traction control system and unstressed engine. For rougher road conditions or harsher tracks, the suspension of the Thunder is generally firm.

The vehicle model's standard tires (Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II) are ideal for everyday driving with a bit of light off-road tours. But if you're thinking of driving off-road more frequently, consider having the tires replaced with the more all-terrain and tougher ones.

The BT-50 Thunder's tub has ample space for all your gear, especially when you're on outdoor adventures, whether it's fishing or camping, among others. It is 1571mm long and 490mm deep, with 833mm from the ground in terms of load height. The manual version can carry as much as 897kg while the automatic ones can carry 887kg. In terms of towing capacities, and unbraked Thunder is at 750kg while a braked one is 3500kg.

Stay Safe with Mazda BT-50

Among the safety features of the Mazda Thunder are the reverse camera, eight airbags and the automatic emergency braking (AEB). The vehicle is also equipped with driver attention assist, blind-spot monitor, front parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert systems. Other safety features of the Thunder include emergency lane keeping, lane departure prevention and warning, and lane keep assist, among many others.

In terms of off-roading scenarios, the Thunder is equipped with hill-launch assist, traction control and hill-descent control systems for a superb, safe driving on rough terrains. Furthermore, the BT-50 models, for which the Thunder is based on, are all equipped with rear locking differentials.

Other Information

The standard range of colour options for the exteriors of the BT-50 vehicles is also available to the Thunder. Specifically, you can opt from these colours: Concrete Grey Mica, Gun Blue Mica, Ice White, Ingot Silver Metallic, Rock Grey Mica, Red Volcano Mica, and True Black Mica.

The Thunder's fuel tank can handle as much as 76 litres, and the vehicle's fuel consumption on a combined cycle is 7.7L/100km for the manual and 8.0L/100km for the automatic.

The Thunder retains a variety of standard features from the GT. Aside from the ones previously discussed, some of these include:

•             eight-speaker stereo

•             Heated, power-folding chrome exterior mirrors,

•             Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

•             LED fog lights and daytime running lights

•             Steering wheel and shifter wrapped in leather

•             Advanced keyless entry (automatic models are equipped with remote engine start)

•             Carpeted floors

 

Bottom Line

The New Mazda BT50 is the vehicle to have when you want a complete package that caters to your stylish lifestyle. It's a highly versatile ute that complements your workday as well as weekend activities. With its more urban-friendly look -- thanks to Mazda's Kodo design language -- the Thunder definitely projects a bold, seamless aura that fits your city lifestyle. But it's not just about having a striking look. The Thunder is also packed with great functionalities that complement your taste for daring, wild adventures across Australia. Contact us and ask about the BT50 for sale today.