Mazda BT-50 Thunder hero truck launched
BT ute gets a tough-looking new Australian-developed flagship dual-cab modelThe 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder ute has launched Down Under, featuring new wheels, tonneau cover, sports bar and a locally-developed front bar.
On sale from April 2021, the BT-50 Thunder ute is priced at $65,990 plus on-road costs for the six-speed manual and $68,990 plus ORCs for the six-speed auto – $9000 more than the Mazda BT-50 GT 4x4 dual-cab it’s based on.
This places it among rivals like the Toyota HiLux Rugged X (from $69,990) and Ford Ranger FX4 MAX (from $64,490).
However, unlike those vehicles there are no mechanical changes to the Mazda BT-50 Thunder, across either powertrain or chassis.
The headline act of the 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder is a steel front bar that was designed and developed by Mazda Australia’s in-house engineering team.
Improving front wheel clearance by removing bodywork from around the wheels, the steel front bar is joined by a bash plate with BT-50 stencilling and a Lightforce LED light bar.
Other upgrades to the ute include side steps, 18-inch black alloy wheels with a six-spoke design, wheel-arch extensions, a premium sports bar with integrated LED stop light, and a button-operated, high-security electric roller tonneau cover from EGR.
There’s also Thunder stickers on the rear flanks and a custom tub liner with integrated push-button LED light in the tray.
Everything else remains the same as the Mazda BT-50 GT, meaning no interior changes.
However, the standard equipment list is generous, extending to brown leather upholstery – with power-operated and heated front seats – as well as remote engine start, front and rear parking sensors, and a 9.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
Adaptive cruise control, auto-levelling LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, active lane keep assist and a variety of other features are on board. Check out our BT-50 specification story for the full list.
All Mazda BT-50 exterior colours are offered on the Thunder at no extra cost: Ice White, True Black Mica, Ingot Silver Metallic, Concrete Grey, Mica, Gun Blue Mica, Rock Grey Mica and Red Volcano Mica.
Australian developed and designed components
Mazda Australia says its Melbourne-based engineering team had design input into every accessory on the 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder.
The wheel-arch extensions and the bull bar are made in Australia, the latter fully compatible with the front speed sign recognition camera, the cruise control radar and parking sensors.
The side steps have also been designed in a way so as not to interfere with the side airbag deployment sensors and the tub liner was made with custom tooling to imprint to BT-50 spec.
Mazda Australia’s in-house engineering team, led by chief engineer Wayne Watson, designed and developed the steel front bull bar that extends the dual-cab’s overall length by 190mm, from 5280mm to 5470mm.
While the new steel front bar reduces the vehicle’s approach angle from 30.4 degrees to 25.8 degrees (measured from the frontal leading edge), Mazda says the ‘practical’ approach angle is improved by the design, which removes bodywork around the front wheels.
The BT-50 Thunder is backed by Mazda’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years’ roadside assist.
Capped-price servicing with 12-month/15,000km intervals is part of the package, along with a guaranteed future value (via the Mazda Assured scheme) if purchased with Mazda Finance.
Check out our first drive review of the new 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder
How much does the 2021 Mazda BT-50 Thunder cost?
Thunder – $65,990
Thunder (a) –$68,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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