2016 Mazda BT-50 revealed in patent images

Despite speculation that the mid-life BT-50 update would offer a more aggressive design, it appears that styling changes are limited to an updated grille and minor revisions to the rear. These images join the spy images we published a little earlier this year.

The updated front end features Mazda's KODO design language, which has been applied across the Mazda range. A split front grille wears the Mazda badge proudly and separates the grille from the lights with chrome strips.

A sculpted cut-out in the front bumper bar houses the foglights, while the headlights have been changed with frosted outer portions, removing the orange reflector that previously sat in the headlight surrounds.

While it's unclear which variants are shown in the images, the dual-cab variant model appears to sport darker tinted privacy glass for the second row. The headlights appear to be the same and don't follow the trend of the 2016 Ford Ranger, which has projector headlights on some models.

The interior also can't be seen in these images, but changes to the interior are expected to include MZD Connect on upper BT-50 models, bringing the ute in line with modern additions to the market.

In terms of engines, the 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is likely to be unchanged. The updated Ranger also gets a re-jigged 2.2-litre four-pot base engine uprated to 118kW/385Nm, though it's not confirmed if these changes will carry over to the BT-50, or whether the company will hold out for a future facelift.

Commanding around 10.0 per cent of the 4 x 2 market and around 6.0 per cent of the 4 x 4 market, the BT-50 hasn't been as much of a runaway success as its Ford Ranger cousin, despite both vehicles sharing a number of components and being engineered in Australia.

Click on the photos tab to see more images of the 2016 Mazda BT-50.