Volkswagen has officially launched the 2015 Fox hatchback in Brazil with a facelift which gets updates to the exterior design, addition of new features inside the cabin and also a new engine on offer. The Fox hatchback sits below the Polo in Volkswagen’s lineup and the updates on the 2015 model takes inspiration not only from the former, but also from the premium Golf hatchback as well. The Fox however will not be coming to India anytime in the near future and the Polo will continue to be Volkswagen’s entry-level product for now.
The 2015 Volkswagen Fox has been updated with a sharper front fascia compared to the outgoing model. The grille is leaner with twin-black slats with a chrome lining at the bottom that runs across the revised headlamps. The headlights on the other hand have grown larger and get new elements inside for a sportier appeal. The front bumper has been redesigned with chrome bezels for the fog lamp unit and a chrome lining at the base. Completing the changes on the front though is the mildly revised hood.
The side profile remains the same as the outgoing model, except for the a new alloy wheel design. The rear however gets extensive changes that include the new horizontally stacked tail lights taking inspiration from the older Golf’s which extend to the boot-lid. The boot-lid too has been revised and boasts off a stronger look mainly due to the sharp horizontal line running between the tail lights. The rear bumper has been slightly revised and gets added reflectors.
On the inside, the 2015 Volkswagen Fox gets an upgraded multi-function flat-bottom 3-spoke steering wheel, taking cues from the 2014 Polo facelift. There is also a new multimedia infotainment system with a colour display and USB, AUX connectivity added to the feature list. The air-con vents have also been subtly revised. The interiors still maintain the simplistic layout with black and grey colour scheme from the outgoing model, while the seats have been upholstered in a dual-tone scheme and get contrast-stitching. You also get a sun roof on the Fox hatchback.
The biggest change though comes under the hood of the 2015 Volkswagen Fox with the addition of the 1.6-litre flex-fuel motor that produces 120 PS of power and 165 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. With the new engine, the 2015 Fox can do 0-100 km/hr in 9.8 seconds and reaches a top-speed of 189 k/hr fueled by ethanol. With only petrol, 0-100 km/hr comes up in 10.3 seconds and the top speed is limited to 183 km/hr. Volkswagen Brazil has also retained the 1.0-litre and 1.6-litre flex-fuel engines and the 2015 Fox will be available in a total of 4 variants, 4 engines and 3 transmission options.
In terms of safety, the German automaker is offering a plethora of features including dual airbags, ABS, ESP, TCS, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Assist and Differential Lock. The new features and engine option however are limited to the Highline variant only. The 2015 Volkswagen Fox competes against the Fiat Novo Palio, Renault Clio and the likes in the segment with prices starting at 35,900 Brazilian Reals (Rs. 9.61 lakhs) to 51,789 Reals (Rs. 13.87 lakhs). Volkswagen India recently cleared that the Up! and the Fox hatchbacks were not slated for an India launch as they were not feasible for the Indian market. The automaker instead will be launching a new product in the sub-4 metre category in the future.
