Description
Following its connection with Ford, Mazda produced and sold on specific markets the B-Series pickup and made it available in a few cab choices such as the Freestyle.
While other Japanese carmakers such as Nissan, Toyota, or Mitsubishi developed their 4x4 pickups and successfully sold them around the world, Mazda was connected to other development areas. After Ford purchased it, it had to go with the blue-oval brand ideas, and thus it introduced the B-Series on the market, and it wasn't a bad idea after all.
The Freestyle cab was the Mazda's name for an extended cab. Its rear suicide doors (rear-hinged) allowed the owner to fill the car with two more people in the back. The shorter cabin allowed a longer bed to carry items. Like the Ford Ranger, its sibling, the B2500/Bravo, could handle a one-ton payload.
Inside, Mazda used a car-like design for the dashboard. Its rounded shapes and clean, uncluttered design made the vehicle more suitable as a leisure pickup than a hard-worker. Thanks to its sturdy chassis it was both. In the back, the carmaker installed two jump-suits and a storage area underneath them, better suited for fishing poles than for a sledgehammer.
Under the hood, depending on the market, Mazda offered the B-Series with its own 2.3-liter gasoline engine, Ford's V-6 units, or a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel. All engines were paired as standard to a five-speed manual, while an automatic was available for selected versions.
