3 weeks ago
31
The lack of an updated flagship Mazda BT-50 Thunder is only temporary, according to the company's managing director.
A curious omission from the new 2025 Mazda BT-50 line-up was the flagship Thunder trim level, but Mazda has affirmed the range-topping dual-cab variant will be seen again.
The new, facelifted Mazda BT-50 features fewer variants and higher prices than before, and one of the variants that was shelved was the most hardcore BT-50 Thunder.
But while absent from the line-up at the updated model’s launch, Mazda managing director Vinesh Bhindi said the plan is to reintroduce the Thunder model grade with the facelifted BT-50.
“That's my plan,” Mr Bhindi told Drive.
“But, we won't do a third-party association because... we can do it with our own accessories.”
The Thunder was an in-house special that was kitted with off-road goodies and features to compete against the likes of Nissan Navara Warrior and Isuzu D-Max Blade.
However, unlike those two range-toppers that were finished with unique suspension, off-road protection, and equipment supplied by second-stage manufacturers, the Mazda BT-50 was completed in-house by Mazda dealerships.
“We feel our scenario is a much better option for the customer because they can pick and choose depending on the need, rather than [being] forced into one particular grade and ‘here's a list of five options you must take,’” said Bhindi.
So all of those items that we offered in Thunder, SP Pro, Thunder Pro packs, they're available.”
More than 100 genuine accessories are on offer to BT-50 buyers as part of the facelifted BT-50 line-up, including new kit designed specifically for this 2025 BT-50 update.
That said, the overarching plan is to reintroduce the simplicity of the Thunder specification in the future.
Meantime, the next-best Mazda BT-50 specification is the SP (pictured above), which kicks off with pricing from $67,990 drive-away nationwide.
The 2025 Mazda BT-50 range is in Australian showrooms now.
Tom started out in the automotive industry by exploiting his photographic skills but quickly learned journalists got the better end of the deal. With tenures at CarAdvice, Wheels Media, and now Drive, Tom's breadth of experience and industry knowledge informs a strong opinion on all things automotive. At Drive, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories.
