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The new 2021 Mazda BT-50 ute has been revealed ahead of a local arrival towards the end of the year.

  

No longer sharing its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger, the new BT-50 comes from a partnership with Isuzu meaning under the skin it’s the new D-Max.

  

Power will come from a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 140kW power and 450Nm torque. It will be matched with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

  

Outputs are down from the 147kW of power and 470Nm of torque offered by the Ford-sourced 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel in the outgoing model.

  

Mazda says the BT-50 will have a braked towing capacity of 3500kg and a payload of over 1000kg.

  

While specifics are yet to be announced, Mazda claims the reduced body weight and a more frugal engine will provide “a significant improvement in fuel economy.”

  

Safety also gets a massive boost with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert all included as standard.

   

Externally, Mazda says the new design adheres to the brand’s Kodo design language with its three-dimensional signature wing wrapping around its front grille and extending out to the side of the vehicle.

  

According to Mazda, the strong shoulder line that runs into the taillamps and door design complement newly developed body colours including the new Gunblue and Concrete Grey Mica.

  

On the inside, there’s a modern layout with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

   

There are also better quality materials and a height and reach adjustable steering wheel.

  

The new BT-50 is expected to be in showrooms toward the end of the year, full specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.