This is the Mazda BT-50 Thunder, a very rugged model that we do not know at all in the Netherlands. The BT-50 Thunder pick-up looks like it would like to sink its teeth into the Ranger Raptor.
Mazda has the BT-50 in its range in Thailand, South Africa and Australia. That is a pick-up that falls in the same class as here well-known pick-ups such as the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Amarok, Nissan Navara and Ford Ranger. The previous generation BT-50 had a very close relationship with the Ranger. After all, it was based on Ford’s pick-up. The current BT-50 is secretly an Isuzu D-Max and that makes the workhorse completely Japanese this time. This special Thunder trim gives the Mazda an extra tough appearance.
The Thunder is the thickest version of the BT-50, although the car is unfortunately only intended for the Australian market. It has a heavily modified bumper, complete with a steel bull bar that incorporates an LED light bar. As Thunder, the BT-50 gets, among other things, thick running boards, large plastic wheel arch extensions, 18-inch light metal, an electrically operated aluminum roller to cover the cargo box and a scaffold at the back to lash all kinds of things. A brown leather interior? From the party.
The Mazda BT-50 Thunder looks like no rock wall is too steep for it, although the powertrain has not been tinkered with. The pick-up has the 190 hp and 450 Nm strong 3.0 four-cylinder diesel engine from Isuzu in its nose. Four-wheel drive is standard.