Mazda has added a pickup truck in its Philippine lineup with the launch of the all-new BT-50.

The new generation BT-50 made its world premiere at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2010.

The truck was designed in Australia alongside the latest Ford Ranger, but Mazda and Ford had separately developed their own versions.

"We are proud to launch the all-new Mazda BT-50 to our loyal customers in the Philippines," said Mazda Phils. Marketing Director Jannina Mendoza. "We are confident that the all-new BT-50 will become the pickup of choice with its dynamic styling and unmistakable Zoom-Zoom driving character."

In the Philippines, the latest BT 50 - which is available in three variants; the 2.2-litre 4x2 in manual and automatic transmission, and the 3.2-litre 4x4 with automatic transmission - sets to provide customers total truck utility while dishing out the style and comfort of a premium passenger car.

What's basically seen on Mazda cars are also present in the new BT-50, which has a sophisticated beast design that's marked by a bold, wedge-shaped profile. This is complemented by an evolved version of Mazda's signature five-point grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps (similar to the brand's passenger cars), and dynamic front fenders that got an evolution of those found on the rest of the Mazda brood.

The pickup is also built for speed, thanks to its 2.2-litre or 3.2-litre diesel engines that can be matched to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The BT-50's 4x4 variant has a shift-on-the-fly selector that can easily switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive mode.

Both the 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre power plants have cast-iron cylinder blocks, aluminum cylinder heads, maintenance-free chain-driven camshafts, and maintenance-free hydraulic lash adjusters. An advanced ultra-high pressure (1,800 bar) common rail injector system with precision multi-stage piezo injectors are fitted to the engines, as well as variable-nozzle turbochargers.

Under its stylish body, the new BT-50 is suspended by double wishbones with coil springs in front and a rigid axle with leaf springs in the rear. Mazda said that despite the truck's ladder frame chassis, the BT-50 rides comfortably no matter the load and road conditions.

Reining in the truck are twin-piston calipers in front that grab 16-inch discs, which work with Emergency Brake Assist, Brake Override System, Load Adaptive Control, Trailer Sway Assist, Roll Stability Control, Hill Launch Assist and Hill Descent Control (for the 4x4 variant only). Combined with its more refined engine and transmission, Mazda said the new BT-50 is not only quiet but is also safe and secure.

Mazda Phils. prices the new BT-50 at P1.3 million (US$ 31,000) for the 2.2L 4x2 M/T, P1.350 million for the 2.2L 4x2 A/T and P1.490 million for the 3.2L 4x4 A/T. The pickup is available in Titanium Gray, Copper Red, Gunmetal Blue, Cool White and Black Mica colors.