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Mazda’s BT-50 has been named Ute of the Year by Australia’s
premier off-road magazine, Australian 4WD Monthly.
In its ninth year, Australian 4WD Monthly is the
country’s top-selling and widely read 4WD magazine.
Mazda’s BT-50 was awarded Australia’s coveted off-road title
over five of its closest rivals; the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Holden Rodeo,
Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger.
Australian 4WD Monthly editor Glenn Wright said: “The
BT-50 was chosen as our 2007 Ute of the Year as it presented the best overall
package and value for money.”
“What set the BT-50 apart from the rest was its brilliant
engine - grunty yet refined and economical. Its great ride and handling
qualities made you forget you were driving a ute, because it felt no different
to the average 4WD wagon.”
This was the ultimate test of the BT-50 turbo-diesel dual cab
utility covering 2500 kilometers of Australia’s harshest outback terrain. A
panel of six experienced judges voted Mazda’s 3.0-litre turbo diesel Dual Cab
Utility SDX the year’s must-buy 4WD ute.
Priced from $41,467 with air conditioning, canopy and bull
bar, the BT-50 Dual Cab Utility SDX outshone its competitors on all of the key
judging criteria that included off-road ability, interior, engine performance,
overall design and engineering and an underbody damage inspection after the
test.
The back-to-back ute comparison, dubbed the ‘outback torture
test’ by the Australian 4WD Monthly editorial team, involved a week-long
drive from Adelaide to Alice Springs and comprised every imaginable terrain,
from sand, to mud, to low-range rocky tracks, to high-speed dirt and tarmac
driving.
The torture test Wright says: “puts the vehicles through their
paces the same way our readers would if it were their own.”
Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson said: “We could
not be more delighted with this award. This title reflects the feedback we have
been getting from our BT-50 customers since its launch last year. They really
appreciate its power, refinement and economy. No wonder it is selling in record
numbers.”
This is the second award the BT-50 has won this year; it also
won Delivery Magazine’s 2007 Light Commercial Vehicle Award earlier this
month.
For more information on the Mazda BT-50 visit www.mazda.com.au
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