Press Release
Interior
Room for Four or Luggage for Eight
- The Fox has been configured as a comfortable four-seater
- Two-door providing variable and longitudinally adjusted rear bench
The interior of the new Fox is functional and has an amazing amount of space to offer. Volkswagen decided to configure the compact car as a four-seater so there are two proper seats in the rear and enough space for two adults. The complete rear bench also slides 15 centimetres lengthways and the backrest is split in the middle. Depending on the configuration, the boot volume is between 260 and 1,016 litres.
Saying the Fox is very roomy may be going too far, but the feeling of spaciousness and the actual space available are indeed remarkable. And that’s the way it should be as Volkswagen is not just launching a normal small car, but a low-cost entry-level model. The Fox is recommended as a city car and also is suitable for long journeys between cities or for holidays.
To ensure that the Fox is fun both on short and long journeys, we have given it a fresh interior design, a good interior quality and clever functions.
Functions:
Operating manual? You won’t need one
Instruments: The Volkswagen features an interior concept that is shaped by clear forms and a high-level of user friendliness. Let’s take the cockpit, for example: As in the New Beetle, the speedo is configured as a central round instrument. However, unlike the New Beetle built in Mexico, not all instruments have been integrated in the speedo. Instead only the most important warning indicators as well as the mileage counters (total mileage and trip recorder) and clock in a digital display have been included. The rev counter and fuel gauge have been placed to the left and right of the speedo. Other warning lamps are positioned on the outside.
Steering column stalks: One special feature compared with other Volkswagens are the stalks next to the reach and height-adjusted steering wheel: They are multifunctional. Normally in Volkswagens the multi-function steering column stalks are limited to the cruise control or automatic adaptive cruise control (both on left-hand side) or the multi-function display controls (right-hand side). However, the Fox is an entry-level model that makes do without this technology. Nevertheless, to ensure that the controls in this area are in line with the norm: The left-hand stalk contains the headlight switch and levelling control — in the form of rotary switches. The driver will use the switches intuitively after a few seconds of getting used to them. As in any other car, the indicators and flasher lights are operated with the left-hand control stalk.
In addition to all windscreen wiper controls, the right-hand stalk also has the switch for the standard heated rear window — in the form of a pushbutton on the outside. The heating is switched off automatically after 20 seconds.
Centre console: VW drivers will be familiar with all other controls. If you are new to VW, you will also quickly find your way around the Fox. The centre console is yet another example. The hazard warning light switch is located at the top in the middle and is therefore easy to reach both for the driver and front passenger. To the left are the buttons for the rear fog lights and, depending on the equipment, the front fog lights and, further to the left, the switch to deactivate the optional ESP.
On the next level, the audio system (double DIN slot) is easy to see and operate. Below that are the controls for the heating and ventilation as well as the recirculation switch. A semi-automatic and particularly efficient air-conditioning system (Climatic) is available here as an extra. Similar to the New Beetle, there are two cup holders for the driver and front passenger just in front of the smoothshifting and precise gearstick. One of them can optionally be fitted with an ashtray.
VW systematics: The air vents, door handles, mirror adjustment (electrical optional), central locking and window regulators (powered also optional) are self-explanatory as in numerous other VW models.
Space Parameters: Nothing is Minimal
The development team have come up with a compact car that, firstly, lowers the price threshold of the VW world considerably. Secondly, this does not come at the cost of everyday use, safety and a feeling of well-being.
Wider than usual: Tight interior space reduces the usability and comfort of a car. The new Fox therefore has amazing interior space. There is a concept behind this too. At first sight, you are bound to be surprised by the width and height of this compact car. The Fox has an extremely high level of movement freedom for its class with elbowroom of 1,401 millimetres (front) and 1,423 millimetres (rear). In practice, this means that two tall people can sit next to each other without feeling that the car is just a bit too small. The fact that a compact car in the €9,000 price class feels “fully grown” is not a matter of course.
Taller than usual: The interior height is one more dimension that makes an essential contribution to this feeling of spaciousness. After all, the Fox measures 1,544 millimetres on the outside – i.e. from the tyre tread to the top coat of paint on the roof. That is very generous and allows for the following trick. The VW specialists have placed the so-called “H-point” (the axis movement of the driver’s pelvis) considerably higher. This has also made the seat position higher similar to a mini van. As a result, you sit in a more relaxed position and the feeling of space has been enhanced.
Even with the higher seats, the maximum interior height in the front is 995 millimetres. In the back, it is exactly 964 millimetres. You therefore not feel cramped in any way.
Tidy Storage: The seat height has added to the storage possibilities as we have managed to integrate a large drawer under the driver’s seat. It is just one of the many storage facilities including the large glove compartment and the 1.0-litre bottle holder inside the doors. Two other cup holders have been provided in front of the gearstick. There are also two cup holders between the seats in the back.
Kneeroom and Boot:
Just a Question of Adjustment
Loads of room: The space is also generous lengthways. In fact, this is in three areas: the front, the back and in the boot. Car developers talk about the legroom in this context, i.e. the centimetres that are available for your legs. The maximum legroom in the front seats is 1,052 millimetres. In the back, up to 884 millimetres are available — depending on the position of the front seats and rear bench. Thanks to the optional sliding rear seat bench that can be moved 15 centimetres lengthways, both the boot and the legroom in the second seat row can be adapted to your transport and space needs.
A question of adjustment: The ASR system (Adjustable Rear Seats / optional) is either adjusted from the passenger compartment or the boot. If you want to increase or decrease the footwell or boot space by sliding the rear bench, you use a simple lever underneath the centre of the rear bench. The rear backrest, which is split 50:50, and the one-piece seat base can be released and folded over using levers in the boot. The complete rear bench is secured in the folded position with a strap.
Boot: These adjustments allow for a very flexible boot space. The cargo volume ranges from 256 to 353 litres when four people are travelling. You also have up to 1,016 litres for small moves, for example, from home to university or for transporting all kinds of large objects. The length of the boot can be varied between 676 and 1,351 millimetres.
The Ideal Climate: Hot or Cold
Heating and ventilation: All that space needs a good heating and ventilation system. The heating and ventilation in the new Fox is therefore very efficient. The air channels with large cross-sections allow for an ideal air supply. The two front passengers benefit from the generously sized vents in the footwell. The powerful fan is also fitted with a pollen filter that is used both in fresh air and recirculation mode. The heating and ventilation system is operated using three rotary switches (heating temperature, fan, air distribution) and a button for air recirculation.
Air conditioning: Alternatively to the standard heating and ventilation, the new Fox can also be equipped with the semiautomatic Climatic air conditioning as featured in the Polo and Golf among others. This system keeps the preset interior temperature constant even when outside conditions change. This function is normally only available on more sophisticated climate control systems. The air distribution is manual as usual. The Climatic system has an externally regulated compressor that consumes less energy and therefore fuel than conventional solutions thanks to the optimised evaporator temperature. Similar to the version without a cooling function, the system is operated with three almost identical rotary switches. In this case, the left-hand temperature control adjusts both the heating and cooling level. In addition to the recirculation button, there is a second button (AC) for switching the air conditioning on and off.
Passive Safety:
Optional Side Airbags in Addition to Front Airbags
Airbag and restraint systems: The high level of passive safety in the new Fox is firstly down to the sophisticated and very stiff body and, secondly, the airbag and restraint systems. The Volkswagen has a driver’s and front passenger airbag as standard. Their volumes are 60 litres (left) and 100 litres (right). As an option, the Fox can be delivered with side airbags (14 litres) integrated in the seat backrests. All four seats have three-point automatic seat belts and head restraints. There is a warning light to tell the driver when he or she is not buckled up. An acoustic signal will also sound for six seconds. If the driver is still not wearing a belt when a speed of ten km/h is reached, an acoustic signal will sound again for ninety seconds. The warning lamp only extinguishes once the belts have been clicked in.
The front belts have tensioners and are height adjustable. The belt tensioners are triggered depending on the severity of accidents by a central control unit.
Child Safety: Isofix child seat fastenings are also provided for both seats in the back as standard. The anchors are easy to find thanks to clear markings. The child seats are fastened securely to the seat frame of the rear bench and are therefore incorporated ideally in the Fox passive protection system.
The Volkswagen child seat range is also suitable for use in the new Fox. For example: The Bobsy G1 Isofix Duo plus for very small passengers between eight months and four years or a weight of nine to eighteen kilogrammes. This seat simply fits in the Isofix fixtures. If you push in the Isofix locking bar on the seat, it can also be used in vehicles without the Isofix system.
Renewable Raw Materials: Some Fox Parts Grow in Fields
Curauá from South America: Volkswagen has turned to numerous natural materials to ensure production is environmentally friendly. The term “renewable raw materials” can be taken literally in this context. They have unique product advantages and secure the longterm income of many agricultural workers in Brazil where the Fox is produced. For example, in addition to coconut fibres, fibres from the Curauá plant are being used for the first time in automobile production in the Fox. It is a member of the pineapple family and is traditionally grown by the Indians and indigenous peoples of South America. Mixed one to one with the fully recyclable synthetic material polypropylene, curauá is an ideal base material for the roof liner or the parcel shelf.
Curauá fibres have interesting product advantages. They are light, completely recyclable, absorb hardly any moisture, are odour-free, do not require much energy when processed and feel pleasant to the touch. Volkswagen purchases around 100 tonnes of this material each month. It is planted on around 1,500 hectares of farmland. By 2006, this project will have created around 10,000 jobs and allowed social facilities such as schools and health centres to be set up.
