| Volkswagen Fox | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen Lupo (Mexico) Volkswagen Suran (Argentina) Volkswagen SpaceFox (Brazil) Volkswagen CrossFox Volkswagen SpaceCross Volkswagen SportVan Volkswagen Urban Fox |
| Production | 2003–2021 2005–2011 (Europe) 2006–2018 (SpaceFox, SpaceCross and SportVan) 2006–2019 (Suran, Argentina) |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car |
| Body style | 3-doorhatchback 5-doorhatchback 5-doorestate (Suran) |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group PQ24 platform |
| Related | Volkswagen Polo IV |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.2 LI3 (petrol) 1.4 LI4 (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-speedmanual 5-speedASG |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,465 mm (97.0 in) |
| Length | 2005–08: 3,805 mm (149.8 in) 2009–2021: 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) Volkswagen Polo (South America) |
TheVolkswagen Fox is asubcompact car produced and designed byVolkswagen of Brazil and sold inLatin America from 2003 until 2021[1][2] and inEurope from 2005 until 2011,[3][4] where it was sold as thecity car offering. The Fox was produced as a 3-door and 5-doorhatchback. There is also amini SUV version calledFox Xtreme (previouslyCrossFox) and amini MPV/station wagon model calledSuran,SpaceFox,SportVan orFox Plus depending on the market.
Volkswagen acquired the rights to the name in 1969, by purchasingNSU. The original NSU Fox was a motorbike first seen in 1949,[5] and Volkswagen had subsequently used the "Fox" name in some markets for special editionVolkswagen Polos. TheAudi 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.
TheFox was a variant of theVoyage manufactured byVolkswagen do Brasil and marketed by Volkswagen inNorth America as an entry-levelsubcompact from 1987 until 1993 — VW's response to an expanding market for entry-level subcompacts, such as theYugo and theHyundai Excel. Initially offered as a 2-door and 4-door sedan as well as a 2-door wagon, the wagon was discontinued in 1991 along with the 2-door for the Canadian market, the same year the 4-door sedan (as well as the 2-door, in the United States) received a mild restyling.
The Fox featured a longitudinal mounted 1.8L, 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) 4-cylinder petrol engine, sharing components with the Volkswagen Golf — along with a 4-speed manual transmission for the standard 2-door and 4-door sedan and a 5-speed manual transmission for the "GL" sport model. — Anautomatic transmission was not offered, nor was power steering or anti-lock braking. The Fox had power assisted disk brakes in the front and drums in the rear.
According to the U.S. EPA, the 4-speed manual transmission averaged 24 mpg‑US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg‑imp) on the new combined driving cycle with the 5-speed manual 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 5-speed transmission and 27 mpg‑US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg‑imp) with the 4-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 (1990–1993) BoschDigifant 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 its competition, sales dwindled, particularly the facelifted (1990–1993) models. Volkswagen also priced the car very low, to compensate for the ever more expensive German-made cars, and Volkswagen of America lost money on every Fox sold in the early years.[6]
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).
InSouth Africa, the Fox name was used for a model based on thefirst generation Jetta.[7] This was sold alongside theVolkswagen Citi Golf, based on thefirst generation Golf.
In Latin America, the Fox was positioned between Volkswagen's supermini models, thelow costGol and thePolo. It was based on the fourth-generation Polo.[8]
In Mexico, it was called theLupo, due to the last name of then current PresidentVicente 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 theVW Novo Gol. The SportVan was also quietly discontinued in Mexico in February 2010 due to poor sales, leaving only the CrossFox.
In October 2009, the new 2010 Volkswagen Fox was revealed inBrazil and later also inArgentina.[9] The model was restyled again in 2014.
.JPG)
.JPG)
The Fox in its most basic Latin American market configuration received 4 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for infants fromLatin NCAP 1.0 in 2015.[10]
The Fox was introduced to Europe at the AMILeipzig 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)I4petrol engines and the 1.4 L 51 kW (69 hp)TDI engine. The 75 hp engine is all-new, and the two others are inherited from the Polo.[8]
It has a drag coefficient of 0,32.[8]
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 inEuroNCAP's crash rating system.[11]
In the European market, the Fox replaced theLupocity car as the entry-level car in the lineup. Volkswagen stopped selling the Fox in Europe in 2011 and it was replaced by theVolkswagen Up until it was discontinued in 2023.[12][13] Like the contemporary Polo, the Fox is based on Volkswagen'sPQ24platform.
| 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 | |
The Volkswagen Fox Xtreme is an adventure version which sets it apart from the standard Fox. Before 2017 it was known as the CrossFox. As is the case for other similar models, it is available only withfront-wheel drive.
It is produced in Brazil and sold inLatin American markets; there were plans to export it toEuropean markets to compete in the adventure hatchbacks market (seeToyota Etios Cross andDacia Sandero Stepway) andHyundai HB20X[citation needed].
This version contains mixed-use tires and a suspension raised slightly beyond a spare tire on the outside of the trunk.
Amini MPV/station wagon version of the Fox was presented in April 2006. It is namedSuran in Argentina,[14] Chile,[15] Egypt, and Uruguay,[16]SpaceFox in Brazil,[17] Ecuador,[18] Bolivia[19] andPeru,[20]SportVan in Mexico[21] andFox Plus inAlgeria.[22] It is built inGeneral Pacheco,Argentina.[23]
Because of its 360 mm-extended tail, it has a larger boot and more rear leg room than the hatchback versions. Its main competitors are thePeugeot 206 SW andFiat 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).[22] 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 2015, it was facelifted, gaining slightly in overall size: 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 at the beginning of 2019.[24][25][26]
The Suran in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags and noESC received 3 stars for adult occupants and 3 stars for infants fromLatin NCAP 2.0 in 2019.[27]
| Year | Global production | Brazil sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox | Suran | Fox | SpaceFox | |
| 2003 | 6,000[28] | — | ||
| 2004 | 54,383[29] | — | ||
| 2005 | 94,962[30] | — | ||
| 2006 | 107,600[31] | 11,903[31] | ||
| 2007 | 206,125[32] | 45,690[32] | 126,291[33] | 27,611[33] |
| 2008 | 170,596[32] | 52,600[32] | 115,072[34] | 22,221[34] |
| 2009 | 176,114[35] | 44,936[35] | 129,199[36] | 31,915[36] |
| 2010 | 194,393[35] | 40,981[35] | 143,564[37] | 18,212[37] |
| 2011 | 160,751[38] | 48,473[38] | 121,594[39] | 22,122[39] |
| 2012 | 197,823[38] | 37,602[38] | 167,708[40] | 26,866[40] |
| 2013 | 164,763[41] | 39,674[41] | 129,939[42] | 20,309[42] |
| 2014 | 106,991[41] | 23,332[41] | 101,340[43] | 19,282[43] |
| 2015 | 85,161[44] | 24,691[44] | 79,204[45] | 6,906[45] |
| 2016 | 50,273[44] | 20,163[44] | 43,730[46] | 2,501[46] |
| 2017 | 50,739[47] | 21,093[47] | 42,719[48] | 2,085[48] |
| 2018 | 40,596[47] | 16,356[47] | 39,262[49] | 5,573[49] |
| 2019 | 43,675[24] | 600[24] | 38,487[50] | 1,750[50] |
| 2020 | 12,184[51] | 20,383[52] | 6[52] | |
| 2021 | 18,162[53] | 17,946[54] | 4[54] | |
| 2022 | 63[55] | — | ||
| 2023 | 5[56] | — | ||
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ignored ISBN errors (link)
