Mazda Philippines recently debuted the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2 — the boldest interpretation yet of Mazda's pickup truck. Available as a factory-installed accessory package, the workhorse further enhances the urban pickup truck infused with Mazda's Kodo: Soul of Motion design.

"The Mazda BT-50 brought unrivaled design, comfort, and capability to the popular pickup truck segment when we launched it in November 2021. One year later, it is only appropriate that we mark its anniversary with the return of the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2," Mazda Philippines head honcho, Steven Tan, said.

"We have been extremely pleased with how the all-new BT-50 has been received since its launch. After listening to customer feedback, we have created the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2 which builds on the BT-50's core strengths. Like the first BT-50 Pangolin, it is also an acknowledgement of the important role we have in preserving the delicate balance of our environment as we go about our daily lives," he continued.

The Mazda BT-50 adopts the distinctive Mazda face with its three-dimensional signature wing wrapping its commanding front grille and extending out to the deep, sculpted LED headlights. Moreover, it gets a wider, more powerful stance, thanks to the bespoke 18-inch Rota alloy wheels at each corner. Finished in Gloss Black, these wheels are manufactured specifically for the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2 with an exclusive Pangolin center cap. With 10 mm of additional offset, the wheels now sit flush with the standard black fender flares and body-colored side step boards.

Complementing the muscular stance, the behemoth comes with a two-tone black/body-colored fashion bar which not only gives the BT-50 a sleeker, almost SUV-like profile, but also improves the aerodynamic air flow towards the back of the pickup truck.

Like other BT-50 variants, it offers an extremely generous tub. Together with its standard bedliner, this makes for a versatile hauler for cargo of various shapes and sizes. The lockable revolver bed cover helps keep items stored in the bed safe and secure, while a new tailgate assist function eases the opening and closing of the tailgate. Altogether, these enhancements make it a perfect all-rounder, fusing the usability and flexibility of a true workhorse with the elegance and ease-of-use of a leisure vehicle.

Under its hood is the 3.0-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine generating 189hp at 3,600 rpm and 450N-m of torque from 1,600 rpm. Complementing this highly capable engine is a strong and responsive six-speed automatic.

The 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2 sports an electronically controlled drive selector featuring options for two-wheel drive low, two-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive low, and four-wheel drive high. Together with an electronic rear differential lock, maximum contact and traction is achieved even on loose and undulating surfaces.

Mazda Active Safety Technology, equipped as standard on all BT-50 4×4 variants, help it achieve class-leading safety. It bundles technologies such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, auto high beam control, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. This is on top of seven airbags and electronic stability control.

This pickup truck variant, like every other brand-new Mazda, offers a five-year free service plan which covers the expenses of periodic maintenance at either six-month or 10,000-kilometer intervals, for up to five years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. This is on top of a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The introduction of the BT-50 4×4 Pangolin Edition 2 coincides with Mazda Philippines's decision to extend its partnership with the Katala Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit Philippine NGO based in Palawan that is active in protecting and conserving threatened endemic wildlife.

The partnership, which started in 2020, saw Mazda Philippines lend a BT-50 to the Katala Foundation to promote its wildlife protection advocacies, and perform its preservation and monitoring duties surrounding the endangered Philippine pangolin.

The new pickup comes as a factory-installed accessory package available exclusively on the BT-50 4×4. It is available in all of the BT-50's colors: Concrete Gray, Gun Blue Metallic, Volcanic Red, Rock Gray, Icy White, Silver Ingot and True Black. For the first 100 customers, the package is available at a special price of P68,000. This is on top of the BT-50 4×4's P1,790,000 suggested retail price.