Volkswagen Fox

The Volkswagen Fox is a subcompact car produced and designed by Volkswagen of Brazil and sold in Latin America since 2003[1] and in Europe from 2005 to 2011,[2][3] where it was sold as the city car offering. Currently the Fox is produced as a three-door and five-door hatchback. There is also a mini SUV version called CrossFox and a mini MPV/station wagon model called Suran, SpaceFox, SportVan or Fox Plus depending on the market.

Not to be confused with Audi Fox.

For the car marketed in North America as Volkswagen Fox between 1987 and 1993, see Volkswagen Gol.

Volkswagen Fox
Overview
Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Also called	Volkswagen Lupo (Mexico) Volkswagen Suran (Argentina) Volkswagen Fox Plus (Algeria) Volkswagen SpaceFox (Brazil) Volkswagen CrossFox Volkswagen SpaceCross Volkswagen SportVan Volkswagen Urban Fox
Production	2003–present
Model years	2004–present
Assembly	São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil[nb 1] São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil[nb 2] General Pacheco, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina[nb 3]
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact car
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 5-door estate (Suran)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group PQ24 platform
Related	Volkswagen Polo IV
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L I3 (petrol) 1.4 L I4 (petrol) 1.6 L I4 (petrol) 1.0 L I4 (petrol/ethanol) 1.6 L I4 (petrol/ethanol) 1.4 L I3 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed ASG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,465 mm (97.0 in)
Length	2005–08: 3,805 mm (149.8 in) 2009–present: 3,823 mm (150.5 in)
Width	1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height	1,545 mm (60.8 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volkswagen Lupo (Europe)
Successor	Volkswagen Up (Europe)

Earlier use of the nameplate

Volkswagen acquired the rights to the name in 1969, by purchasing NSU. The original NSU Fox was a motorbike first seen in 1949,[4] and Volkswagen had subsequently used the "Fox" name in some markets for special edition Volkswagen Polos. The Audi 80 produced in the 1970s also used the name Fox on vehicles sold in Australia and the United States. The Australian version was assembled locally by Volkswagen Australasia Ltd.

North America (1987–1993)

See also: Volkswagen Gol

The Fox was a variant of the Gol manufactured by Volkswagen do Brasil and marketed by Volkswagen in North America as an entry level subcompact from 1987 to 1993. Initially offered as a two-door and four-door sedan as well as a two-door wagon, the wagon was discontinued in 1991 along with the two-door for the Canadian market, the same year the four-door sedan (as well as the two-door, in the United States) received a mild restyling.

North American market Volkswagen Fox GL sedan

The Fox featured a longitudinal mounted 1.8L, 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) four-cylinder gasoline engine, sharing components with the Volkswagen Golf — along with a four-speed transmission for the standard two- and four-door sedan and a five-speed transmission for the "GL" sport model — an automatic transmission was not offered. There was no power steering available. The Fox had power assisted disk brakes in the front and drums in the rear. The Fox did not have an anti-lock braking system.

According to the U.S. EPA, the four-speed version averaged 24 mpg_‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg_‑imp) on the new combined driving cycle with the five-speed transmission able to produce 23 mpg_‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg_‑imp) on the new driving cycle. Under the old test protocol, the Volkswagen Fox was able to produce 26 mpg_‑US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg_‑imp) with the five-speed transmission and 27 mpg_‑US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg_‑imp) with the four-speed transmission.

Early models (1987–1989) featured the Bosch CIS-E also known as KE-Jetronic electro mechanical fuel injection, using an oxygen sensor to assist in fuel management. Later models featured (1990 to 1993) Bosch Digifant electronic fuel injection. In Canada, the Fox from 1987 to 1989 was offered with the simpler Bosch CIS fuel injection (K-Jetronic) without an oxygen sensor for the engine fuel management system.

Due partly to booming sales of the Passat, Jetta, Golf and the price of the Fox compared to other manufacturers at the time, the Fox faded out fast, making it a rare car - particularly so the (MK2; 1990 to 1993) models. Fewer were being produced for North America due to the lack of demand.

Originally, the Fox's squared off front end featured sealed beam halogen headlamps; after 1991 models received revised sheet metal with flush glass headlamps (MK2).

South Africa

In South Africa, the Fox name was used for a model based on the first generation Jetta.[5] This was sold alongside the Volkswagen Citi Golf, based on the first generation Golf.

Overview

Latin America

In South America, it fits between its two supermini brothers, the low cost Gol and the Polo. In Mexico, it was called the Lupo, due to the last name of then current President Vicente Fox. Volkswagen of Mexico dropped the Lupo after a short run of 2009 models, due to poor sales, and replaced it along with the aged Pointer and Derby by the VW Novo Gol. The SportVan was also quietly discontinued in Mexico in February 2010 due to poor sales, leaving only the CrossFox.

2015 Volkswagen Fox

In November 2009, the new 2010 Volkswagen Fox was revealed in Brazil and later also in Argentina.[6] The model was restyled again in 2015.

Specifications

• Engine: VHT, BAH; I4, 1599 cc, cast-iron cylinder block, RSH (roller rocker arm)
• Power: 104 hp (74 kW) at 5750 rpm
• Fuel Injection: Motronic (Benzin ME7.5.10 until 2006)
• Torque: 154 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm
• 0–100 km/h (62 mph): 10.8 s
• Top Speed: 174 km/h (108 mph)
• Boot: 260–1,016 L (9.2–35.9 cu ft)[7]
• Transmission: 5-speed manual (Audi MQ200 manual gearbox) or i-Motion ASG
• Fuel capacity: 50 L (13.2 US gal; 11.0 imp gal)
• Brakes: front disks, rear drums

Europe

Pre-facelift Volkswagen Fox 1.4

The Fox was introduced to Europe at the AMI Leipzig Motor Show in April 2005, on debut in Europe, the Fox was only available as a three-door hatchback and with three engine options: the 1.2 L 40 kW (55 hp) I3 and 1.4 L 55 kW (75 hp) I4 petrol engines and the 1.4 L 51 kW (69 hp) TDI engine.

The Fox was sold with a long options list to reduce its tag price, therefore letting the European customer specify the Fox to their liking. It did come with standard twin airbags and anti-lock braking system for safety measures. Upon its debut, the Fox scored four stars in EuroNCAP's crash rating system.

In the European market, the Fox replaced the Lupo city car as the entry level car in the lineup. Volkswagen stopped selling the Fox in Europe in 2011 and it has been replaced by the Volkswagen Up.[8] Like the contemporary Polo, the Fox is based on Volkswagen's PQ24 platform.

Specifications

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque
Petrol engines
1.2	I3	1198 cc	56 PS (41 kW; 55 hp) at 4750 rpm	108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm
1.4 BKR	I4	1390 cc	76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) at 5000 rpm	124 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm
Diesel engines
1.4 TDI	I3	1422 cc	71 PS (52 kW; 70 hp) at 4000 rpm	155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 1600–2800 rpm

Variants

CrossFox

Volkswagen CrossFox

The Volkswagen CrossFox is a mini SUV version which sets it apart from the standard Fox. As is the case for other similar models, it is available only with front-wheel drive.

It is produced in Brazil and sold in Latin American markets; there were plans to export it to European markets to compete in the expanding mini SUV market (see Ford EcoSport and Fiat Idea Adventure).

This version contains mixed-use tires and a suspension raised slightly beyond a spare tire on the outside of the trunk.

Suran

A mini MPV/station wagon version of the Fox was presented in April 2006. It is named Suran in Argentina[9] and Uruguay, SpaceFox in Brazil[10] and Peru,[11] SportVan in Mexico[12] and Fox Plus in Algeria.[13] It is built in General Pacheco, Argentina.[14]

Because of its 360 mm-extended tail (4,165 mm vs. 3,805 mm), it has a larger boot and more rear leg room than the hatchback versions. Its main competitors are the Peugeot 206 SW and Fiat Palio Weekend.

The initial version has the same wheelbase of 2,645 mm (104.1 in), a length of 4,165 mm (164.0 in), a width of 1,655 mm (65.2 in) and a height of 1,545 mm (60.8 in).[13] It uses the 1.6-litre engine, with power output levels ranging between 98 and 103 PS (72 and 76 kW; 97 and 102 bhp), depending on the fuel version (petrol or blend of ethanol and petrol).

In 2010 and 2014, it was facelifted, gaining slightly enlarged dimensions: 4,180 mm (164.6 in) in length, 1,660 mm (65.4 in) in width and 1,576 mm (62.0 in) in height. It was discontinued in 2019.[15]

• 
  2009 Volkswagen Suran (pre-facelift)
• 
  2011 Volkswagen Suran (first facelift)
• 
  2010 Volkswagen Suran (first facelift)
• 
  2016 Volkswagen Suran (second facelift)
• 
  2012 Volkswagen Suran Cross
• 
  2012 Volkswagen Suran Cross

Notes

1. European version.
2. For Latin America.
3. The Volkswagen Suran.

References

1. "BRAZIL: Volkswagen launches Crossfox 'SUV'". just-auto. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
2. "Volkswagen Fox hatchback (2005 - 2011)". Carzone.ie. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
3. "FAQs - Vehicle information model changes". Volkswagen UK. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
4. "Not und Spiele: Die 50er Jahre...". Auto, Motor und Sport. Heft 13 1996: Seite 58–65. 14 June 1996.
5. Glen, Simon (2003), Volkswagens of the World: A Comprehensive International Guide to Volkswagens not built in Germany... and the unusual ones that were, Veloce Publishing Ltd., ISBN 978-1-845844-71-4
6. "Nuevo Volkswagen Fox 2010" (in Spanish). Argentina: 16 Valvulas.
7. Bilger, M. (2005-04-08). "Der Volkswagen Fox - alle Details" [The Volkswagen Fox - all details]. Planet-Polo (in German). Archived from the original on 2016-09-24.
8. "Model Changes". Volkswagen. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-06. Retrieved 2011-12-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. Archived December 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
13. "automobile en algérie - L'automarché Une alternative "Plus" dans le monospace". lautomarche.com (in French). Telemly, Algeria: L'Automarche. 31 October 2006. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
14. "Volkswagen Argentina S.A." (PDF). 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
15. "Volkswagen Annual Report 2019" (PDF).

External links

• Official VW Brazil Fox website