2012 Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab to debut at Australian International Motor Show

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By Brett Davis | June 07th, 2011

Mazda has announced the global debut of the all-new Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab will occur at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne. The ute was initially unveiled at last year’s AIMS in Sydney.

Showcasing a practical reverse-swinging rear door layout, the Freestyle Cab offers the tray space of a extra cab and the versatility of a four-door. The design also features a non-existent B-pillar setup, which offers even more practicality thanks to a 1408mm-wide opening.

The new model promises to offer improved comfort levels for rear-seat passengers, mainly thanks to longer seats (by 50mm) which give greater thigh support, and higher seat-backs (by 128mm).

The rear seat cushions can be removed, allowing an almost 90-degree opening panel under the seats for extra interior storage space. The rear tray is also larger than the existing range, offering an overall volume of 1453 litres (up from 1187 litres), thanks to a deeper, longer and wider tub.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, said it was a privilege to host the global debut of the BT-50 Freestyle Cab.

“With Australia expected to be the largest market for the all-Nnw BT-50 it’s no coincidence that we’ve been asked to host not one but two global unveilings of this important new model. It’s only appropriate that the Australian public see it first.”

The new Mazda BT-50 will go on sale in Australia towards the end of this year. We look forward to providing all the coverage of the Melbourne show which runs from July 1 to July 1o. Stay tuned.

Jazrod

Ugly as . . .

Bent 8 Brigade

I think I just threw up in my mouth
Joker

If weren’t already a collector of animals such as Birds, Cats and small Dogs, with a Grill like this- you will be!!
Octavian

Ugly is a point of view, for me I think it’s a modern design that’s not as macho as many other four wheel drive utilities. I still don’t understand why Volkswagen hasn’t made the Amarok with a cab like this.

RC

I think it looks alright too (compliments passenger car range). The dash reminds me of the Mazda3. Like the Mitsu Triton give it 2-3 years and styling won’t be such a big deal anymore.

Sambo

shockingly ugly. Ford Ranger looks so much better.

Sumpguard

Everything does! I can’t believe they ran with this design.

Lofto

This thing is down there with great wall for looks, ranger all the way
paulb

The new BT-50 is going to offer a lot in design+innovation.Like the Ranger,with that awsome inline5 td.Must say have they taken design a bit far,hmmm.
http://ozmazda.com ozmazda

Looks great radical, fresh and bold like when the 3 landed with the new front end smiley face…..the Ranger is so yank wank

scottjames_12

The big stupid grin barely even works on the girly Mazda 3. It looks utterly stupid on this.

Don Quay

Those lights and the rest of the front end make me think Sssanngggyonnnggg. (Is that how you spell it?)
How did Mazda stuff this up so badly? I generally like their designs.

RC

Everyone said that with the intro of the 98 Patrol and 80 series 1990′s Landcruiser, that the soft edges didn’t look man enough. People got over it; fast!
This ute makes sense, you like the style of Mazda cars but need a ute. Like the old Tribute/Escape the dash on the Mazda looks classier, less plasticky. Don’t like, don’t buy (but take a look at Mazda sales records……)

bangel

Smiley face no worka on workhorse , get em tougher look , then sell plenty .
bert

The new “major facelift” hilux will be here in september it will KILL this ugly thing in the looks department!

scottjames_12

Not hard to beat this..

The new Toyota looks just like every other Toyota. Safe, bland, boring. Whitegoods on wheels.

gazza

And made to go around australia a million times unlike this rubbish, Mazda have never made a long lasting reliable commercial vehicle!

TMG

Bonnet, Guards, Grill and Headlights are not a major facelift, (update at best) if that was the case then the VE to VE2 Commodore was a major facelift…..

As for looks everything is subjective, good on them for doing something different.

I haven’t seen it in the flesh so I will reserve my judgment until then.

DeskDreaming

Front looks like a Mazda 3 mated with a puffer fish
Vibe

It’s not ugly as such, it’s just as smiley as the 3, the design just doesn’t suit the car whatsoever. Take a lesson from the Amarok. You can still have a corporate face, but adapt it and make it work. Mazda could have done so much better with this.

That said, I’m sure it will pull the current Yummy Mummy HiLux crowd!
Able

I’m fine with the front but the disproportioned rear…. WOAH!!! It’s not the best. My Amarok arrives next month and I can’t wait for it to smash this way too ugly Mazda!

scottjames_12

Smash it how? With its 2.0L diesel?

The 3.2L 5-Cyl Ranger, on the other hand…

Jon

The design of this car is umm a bit too much?
Jack

Mazda didn’t realise the same people who love the looks of the Mazda 3, have no need for a cab ute.
http://CarAdvice The Salesman

Great Wall looks better. (i know, i cant believe i said it either)
JD

Looks like the new Ford Ranger is going to take the lead in this pickup truck segment when compared to the new Bt50 and “new” hilux

KD

…not when the price difference between an Ranger XLT and an BT-50 XTR is $8,000 different at the end of negotiations. I prefer the exterior look of the ranger, but the interior of the BT-50 is nicer (Ranger dash screams ford focus) IMO. Mazda’s BT-50 XTR includes Sat Nav and the ranger doesn’t. Ford Ranger XLT includes a tow bar and full credit to ford for that inclusion, only its disappointing that it wasn’t a well thought out option and drastically reduces the ranger’s departure angle from 28deg to 20deg. Still fine for towing your caravan on the black top but useless on the inland tracks of fraser island. Nothing TJM & ARB couldn’t fix in a few months (hopefully).
Looking forward to putting 33″s on the BT-50 with a 2inch lift kit.

Tim

Girly design for workman car.
Shak

Honestly, how could they have got the look so wrong.
Catter29

BLAH BLAH BLAH!

Ranger-all-the-way.

What do you mean by BLAH BLAH BLAH?

Shakay

This monster looks like a girls work car.
mh2408

looks like a cartoon character
sven

Looks like a baby vulture, flapping its wings for the first time…
Popeye

FUGLY
Daniel D

With that styling it needs a Subaru badge on it.

Mazda you are starting to loose the plot on styling. How did this even get approved for Australia? You have seen the Ford Rangers styling?

Styler

The ford ranger doesn’t have style the mazda has style big time.

Deane

I find it hard to care what a work ute looks like… how it’ll go after 4 years and a hundred and fifty thou of hard, torturous work on the other hand, that’ll be interesting.

Of our current fleet, it seems like the Triton is standing up best of the 07-08 models about to be flicked back to the leasing outfit.

http://CarAdvice The Salesman

So, the next fleet will be filled by Ssangyong?

http://CarAdvice The Salesman

Mazda have done a face lift by pulling the back of the neck up and streaching the face.
Zezima

That is disgusting I was needing to buy a car or ute but this is just terrible.
Noel

Even the Mazda dealers can’t believe how ugly this ute is.
Mikko

It’s intended for the trendy interior designer people like those contestants on The Block. It’s masculine and feminine at the same time.
http://macarthurford.com.au Macarthur Ford Ctown

Thank goodness we sell Ford’s

scottjames_12

You guys have some seriously nice product these days. But Ford Australia’s marketing needs a real kick up the pants!

Car Fanatic

I’ve seen it in the flesh, it’s not pretty, the artists impression made it look more like a CX 9 or CX 7 front end, that would have been better than this fat faced thing
Falcodore

I generally like Mazda’s design language but i have to admit, if i had to choose i’d take the Ranger based on looks alone. Interior design might be a different thing though.

Having said all that, i remember when pics of the current Mazda3 first surfaced everybody had the same negative comments about it’s styling, and look at the success it has become.
Hamish

Looks like a Hilux on ecstacy.
omgwot

looks like they poached the ssangyong “designer” and that hurts to say as I quite like mazdas
Sonic

Err… Am I the only person in Australia who likes the look of this thing?
gazza

Mazda have copied the butt ugly ssangyong ute WELL DONE MAZDA,GREAT DESIGN WORK!
Spectre

Over-styled is a phrase you hear a lot lately – I am hoping this jelly-mould ugly phase our asian friends seem to be going through atm will benefit the locals.
Plumber

With me plumbing tools in the back, pipes ont top & me bully’s head out one side & mine out the other side, you call my truck ugly, I’ll punch your bloody head in!

Plumber number2

I’m with ya all the way, us plumbers need to stick together. It seems we are the only trade that has class.
I have just retired, had landcruisers all my life. This will be perfect for me in the freestyle model. Can’t wait for some sparky to call it girly to my face

fraggle

Wow ,that looks great if you rub jam in your eyes.Can’t wait to see what a bullbar and driving light might do to cover up the front grill and head lights , and the rear seats look so comfortable I could fall asleep there after 2 slabs of beer and a bottle of scotch. at least the tailgate looks good. I can fold it down coz i need a place to throw up my lunch…Just a matter of time mac trucks will start looking like this.I didnt like the triton much either…the new shane warne could sell it!!!, im sticking with nissan for now…
Andrew

Does it come with a man bag?
Mozza

My God ! Mazda have created a Drag Queen on wheels ! WFCE Award needed here ! ( Worlds Fugliest Car Ever) Was the Design team hepped up on Saki ? Who ever signed this off and into production should be shot ! Damn ! I need Eno’s and Gaviscon to settle my queasy stomach after looking at this ! Ew , think I’m gonna be sick !!!