2009 Mazda BT50

During the '90s, Ford went on a shopping quest of brand-name marques in a bid to acquire European technology. Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin were all hooked at the 'Blue Oval'.

Mazda, however, has been a trading partner with Ford since 1973 when its 'B' Series pick-up was rebadged the Courier.

Sales were so profitable that by 1983, the world's second-largest auto-maker had the gonads to punch the button on its own line - the Ranger. And, by 2002 Mazda's B Series was actually Rangers, with different grill treatment.

So, here we are with the Mazda BT50 sold by Executive Motors. The current truck is made in Thailand.

well-equipped

In its current state, it is pretty well equipped - 2.5-litre turbo diesel 12 valve four, which develops 108 hp at 3,500 rpm and 197 lb ft at 2,000 - without a common-rail injection system - dual airbags, manual transmission, side steps and of course the grille treatment that denotes it as the Mazda product. The fuel filler cap is not as ingrained in the bed fender flare as the Ranger's. Mazda has Altezza rear-light treatment - and those are the only differences externally between them.

They are within one millimetre of each other in terms of length (5,169mm/ 5,170mm). The Mazda is shorter. Bed length is the same (our double cab tester had a 2,280 mm length , measured at the floor) wheelbase is identical at 2,985 mm, front track 1,445 mm, rear, 1,440 - it is the same truck.

Our tester was equipped with four-wheel drive - mechanically shifted, which is good news, and had a turning circle of 25.2 feet - which put it smack dab in the middle of the class. Suspended by a torsion bar double wishbone front end, BT50 has a supple ride, but the live rear has to be sprung for a full load so it dances a bit over sleeping policemen and such when the bed is empty, as it was in our case. The BT50 interior will not offend most folks, with decent space for the front passengers. Rear legroom doesn't fare nearly as well - but this a compact truck.

work truck

So what's to like? Finally, a Jamaican vehicle that is dedicated to the manual shifting experience. It is a work truck and makes no bones about it. Power is more than adequate, with turbo coming into play at about two grand followed by a quick and lively trip to redline. Fourth and fifth gear have decent acceleration; no shifting needed when cruising at freeway speeds. Clutch take-up takes a bit getting used to as it engages rather low in its travel. Smooth shifts are possible, but it is a learning process. Sidesteps are nice, but the exclusion of a driver side grab handle is not a plus; getting in this truck is a process if you are girthy. The radio isn't all that either.

Executive motors has only one model of this pick-up, which we drove. If you bleed Ford blue and need a pick-up, then the same pick-up - with mostly cosmetic differences only - will lighten the wallet by $2,700,000. The BT50 comes in at $43,0000 less. $43K, even at today's prices, buys a lot of fuel. And maybe a better radio!