2016 Mazda BT-50 revealed

Mazda has revealed the first image of its updated BT-50, along with the news that the re-styled bakkie will start production in Thailand next week. Not surprisingly, it’s the double-cab’s divisive front styling that has changed most obviously – it now wears a more conservative CX-5-looking face and with new alloy wheels. The rear styling should be more or less unchanged.

Mazda also says, despite the style tweak, the BT-50 model line-up will be unchanged for 2016. It’ll therefore retain the two Ford-derived diesel engines:  2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre five-cylinder producing 110kW/375Nm and 147kW/470Nm respectively – in both manual and auto – and two- and four-wheel-drive variants and single, dual and cab-and-half body styles will remain.

Although Mazda hasn’t shown the interior off just yet, the Japanese firm says it will also get a light update and the addition of a reverse camera and other tech/convenience features. So, a credible contender to the Ranger and Hilux