2021 Mazda BT-50 about to get even tougher - but will the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara rival also get more powerful?

Mazda Australia may have only just released the third-generation BT-50 ute’s new flagship, the Thunder, but its entire range will soon be able to add more toughness.

Speaking to CarsGuide, Mazda Australia marketing and product director Alastair Doak confirmed a suspension upgrade is on the way for the BT-50, and it won’t be limited to any particular variant, as it will be offered as a dealer-fit accessory range-wide.

“We have a suspension upgrade,” he said. “It was delayed a little bit, just (because of) parts supply and getting them here, but we have a full suspension system that will be available very soon.”

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Mr Doak added that the suspension upgrade will include “shocks, spring rates and all that kind of stuff”, with more information on it, including pricing, to be released in the near future.

That said, he did reveal the suspension upgrade was developed by Mazda Australia in conjunction with a local supplier, although it is being manufactured overseas. Its BT-50 partner, Isuzu, was therefore not involved, meaning it won’t extend to the related D-Max.

As for whether or not the BT-50 is also in line for a unique engine upgrade, be it software or hardware, Mr Doak reiterated that Mazda Australia is pleased with the existing 140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder unit.

“The performance numbers of the current engine are very strong and within a tenth (of a second) or two of (Ford Ranger) Raptor, for example,” he said.

“Obviously we’re getting our ute from somebody else [Isuzu], so it’s really a question for them and not for us.”

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Needless to say, with the availability of the Thunder and the impending arrival of the suspension upgrade, the BT-50 will arguably soon be in the same conversation as the Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota HiLux Rugged X and Nissan Navara Warrior.

But as far as a more powerful BT-50 is concerned, it seems the ball is still well and truly in Isuzu’s court, with Mazda likely to follow the D-Max’s lead in that area, no matter what.