Mazda PH gives BT-50 Pangolin Edition to Katala Foundation in Palawan

Updated Dec 30, 2020 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The truck will be used for monitoring the NGO’s conservation activities.

Mazda Philippines recently partnered with Katala Foundation in Palawan to introduce a special edition of the BT-50 pickup truck called the Pangolin Edition. Katala Foundation is a non-profit Philippine non-governmental organization (NGO) that conserves the lives of the endangered Palawan Pangolin.

To support Katala Foundation’s conservation activities, Mazda Philippines provided the NGO with a brand new BT-50 Pangolin Edition that will be used in monitoring and population checking activities around Puerto Palawan.

Mazda BT-50 with Katala Foundation representatives

The Mazda BT-50 Pangolin was received by Katala Foundation representatives

The turned over BT-50 Pangolin Edition will be replacing Katala Foundation’s 1996 Mazda Proceed for a year. With the addition of the new BT-50 Pangolin Edition, Mazda Philippines is hopeful that Katala Foundation will save the country’s endemic wildlife and fragile ecosystem.

“With all the challenges and threats that the Palawan Pangolin is currently facing, it is only fitting that Mazda Philippines sends over its Christmas gift for the Pangolins this early so that we can help stop the trafficking and contribute to their protection and preservation,” said Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines.

Powering the Mazda BT-50 Pangolin Edition is a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder turbo-diesel engine capable of making 197 hp and 470 Nm of torque. Adding to its performance features are its water wading capacity rated at 800 mm and its 1,086-kilogram cargo capacity that are essential in monitoring activities of Katala Foundation.

Mazda BT-50 Pangolin side view

The truck departed from the Mazda Center of Excellence facility in Cabuyao, Laguna last December 9, 2020

As for pricing, the Mazda BT-50 Pangolin Edition comes with an introductory price of Php 1,400,000. The BT-50 Pangolin Edition is also offered with Mazda’s 3-year vehicle warranty and free preventive maintenance service (PMS) for 5 years, or up to 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

“This pickup truck also represents the same challenges that the Palawan Pangolin faces today. We hope that together with the support of Mazda Philippines, we can finally head for the right direction to achieve the conservation status of this species,” shared Indira Lacerna-Widnann, Project Director of Katala Foundation.

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Know more about Mazda BT-50 2024

Mazda BT-50

The third-generation Mazda BT-50 2024 is the latest pickup truck offering from the Japanese marque. It still remains to be a body-on-frame model, and it is based on the third-generation Isuzu D-max. 

For the Philippine market, the Mazda BT-50 for 2024 is available in three variants. These come with a price ranging from Php 1,390,000 to Php 1,908,000, with the BT-50 4x4 MT as the entry-level variant, and the BT-50 Pangolin Edition 2 4x4 AT as the top-spec variant. 

Under the hood of the BT-50 is a 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX inline-4 turbodiesel engine. At maximum, it can produce up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Available transmissions include a six-speed automatic and a five-speed manual. For drivetrains, only the top-spec variant comes with 4x4. 

Size-wise, the new BT-50 2024 Philipines is 5,280mm long, 1,870mm wide, and 1,800mm in height. It also has a wheelbase of 3,125mm. 

Competing against the Mazda BT-50 in the Philippine market are the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Strada, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Maxus T60, etc.

 

Mazda BT-50 Launch

The newest Mazda BT-50 was launched for the Philippine market in November 2021. It replaces the older BT-50 which has been around locally since 2013. Other markets however received by new BT-50 earlier in 2019. 

The new version of the BT-50 shares a platform with the Isuzu D-Max. And like the said model, the new BT-50 comes with a handful of improvements for its on-board tech, as well as its mechanical components. 

Mazda BT-50 Exterior

While its roots are apparent in its general body shape, the third-gen BT-50 was provided with characteristics that are uniquely Mazda. For instance, it gets the hexagonal front grille, as well as a pair of sharp-looking LED headlamp clusters. These of course are also found on other Mazda models like the CX series of crossovers. 

Exterior features include rain-sensing wipers, a set of 18-inch wheels, power-adjustable side mirrors with power fold, and roof rails for the top-spec 4x4 variant. 

Size-wise, the BT-50 2024 Philippines comes with a length of 5,280mm, a width of 1,870mm, a height of 1,800mm, and a wheelbase length of 3,125mm. 

Mazda BT-50 Interior

Like most trucks in the market today, the new BT-50 can comfortably seat up to five occupants. Its interior space, however, was designed to be more premium in look and feel. Furthermore, it also comes standard with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system, electronically adjustable front seats, leather seats, and many other niceties. 

Technology & Safety Features

Safety-wise, the top-spec BT-50 4x4 comes with the Mazda I-Activsense suite of driver-assist technologies. This includes features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert, among others. It also gets 7 airbags at most, as well as the usual safety features like stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, among others. 

For entertainment, the top-spec 4x4 variant gets a 9-inch touchscreen headunit. Its connectivity options include Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is then linked to an 8-piece speaker system. The other trims then have a seven-inch headunit with the same connectivity options, but it is linked to a six-piece speaker system. 

Platform & Chassis

The BT-50 shares a platform with the Isuzu D-Max. As such, it also uses a ladder-frame chassis. For suspensions, the Mazda-branded truck uses a double-wishbone for the front and a leaf spring suspension for the rear. It then uses a ventilated front disc brake and a rear drum brake. 

Engine & Drivetrain

Under the hood of the 2024 Mazda BT-50 is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. At maximum, it can make up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. For transmissions, it either gets a five-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed automatic tranny with sequential shift. 

The entry-level and mid-spec trims of the BT-50 use a 4x2 drivetrain. Only the top-spec variant comes with a 4x4 and a locking rear differential. 

Mazda BT-50 Q&A

1. How much is the Mazda pickup BT-50 in the Philippines?

The price of Mazda BT-50 2024 in the Philippines ranges from P1,390,000 to P1,908,000.

2. Is the Mazda BT-50 reliable?

The Mazda BT-50 is generally considered a reliable pickup truck. It is built with high-quality materials, has a solid construction, and is equipped with durable components that can withstand tough driving conditions.

3. Is the Mazda BT-50 fuel efficient?

The Mazda BT-50 is generally considered to be a fuel-efficient pickup truck, especially compared to other similarly-sized vehicles in its class.

4. What engine is in the BT-50?

The Mazda BT-50 is available with either a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine or a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine.

5. Is the Mazda BT-50 automatic?

Yes, the Mazda BT-50 is available with an automatic transmission.

 

₱ 1,390,000 - ₱ 1,858,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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