VW Fox (2003-2021): How to Remove the Bumpers

Names and Markets

The Volkswagen Fox is a compact car developed by the German automaker Volkswagen. It was known by different names in various countries:

  • In Europe and Russia – Volkswagen Fox.
  • In Brazil and some Latin American countries – Volkswagen CrossFox (crossover version) and SpaceFox (station wagon).
  • In Mexico – Volkswagen Lupo (though this is a different model, so confusion is possible).

The Fox was designed as an affordable city car, replacing the Lupo in Europe and complementing the lineup in developing markets.

 

Production Years and Platform

  • European production: 2005–2011 (Germany, Bratislava plant).
  • Brazilian production: 2003–2021 (São José dos Campos plant).
  • The car was based on the PQ24 platform (a modified version of the Polo Mk4 platform), which provided good handling and compact dimensions.

 

Modifications

  • 3-door hatchback (2005–2011) – the main version for Europe.
  • 5-door hatchback (only for Latin American markets).
  • CrossFox (2006–2021) – a crossover version with increased ground clearance, plastic body cladding, and optional all-wheel drive (in Brazil).
  • SpaceFox (2006–2014) – a 5-door station wagon with a longer wheelbase.
  • Suran (in Argentina) – a rebadged version of the SpaceFox.

 

Engines and Transmissions

In Europe, the Fox was offered with the following powertrains:

Petrol engines:

  • 1.2L (55 HP and 60 HP) – base option.
  • 1.4L (75 HP) – slightly more dynamic but still underpowered for highways.
  • 1.6L (100 HP, only in Brazil).

Diesel engines:

  • 1.4 TDI (70 HP) – fuel-efficient but noisy.

Transmissions:

  • 5-speed manual (main option).
  • 6-speed automatic (rare, only in certain markets).

 

Bumper plastic marking: >PP+EPDM+T10<

How to Remove the Front Bumper

  1. Open the hood.
  2. Under the hood, unscrew six screws (fastened top to bottom) securing the upper part of the front bumper.
  3. From underneath, unscrew seven screws (fastened bottom to top) securing the lower part.
  4. Turn the wheels outward and unscrew three screws on each side in the wheel arches securing the fender liners, plus one screw per side (fastened bottom to top) securing the bumper corners to the fenders.
  5. Move the fender liners aside and unscrew two screws per side (fastened from the engine bay side) securing the brackets to the fenders.
  6. With an assistant, carefully pull the front bumper forward (watch for wiring).
  7. Disconnect the temperature sensor and fog light connectors (if equipped).

VW Fox Front Bumper Mounting Locations

VW Fox Front Bumper Mounting Diagram

How to Remove the Rear Bumper

⇒Useful tips on how to remove the bumper and not break anything.⇐

  1. Remove the rear wheels (optional but makes the job easier).
  2. In the wheel arches, unscrew three screws per side securing the rear part of the fender liners.
  3. Move the fender liners aside and unscrew two screws (fastened bottom to top) and one nut (below the taillight level) per side.
  4. From underneath, unscrew three screws (fastened bottom to top) securing the lower part of the rear bumper.
  5. Release the clips in the trunk opening and carefully pull the bumper backward (watch for wiring).
  6. Disconnect the license plate light and parking sensor connectors (if equipped).

VW Fox rear bumper mounting locations

VW Fox rear bumper mounting diagram

Model Overview

The Fox was designed as a budget-friendly city car, so its interior was simple but practical:

  • Hard plastics, but no rattles.
  • Minimal electronics – even the mirrors were manually adjustable in the base model.
  • Compact dimensions (3.83 m long) made it easy to park.
  • 280L trunk – decent for a small car.
  • Suspension – MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear, typical for budget cars. On the road, the Fox felt confident, but sound insulation was poor.

 

Interesting Facts

  • The Fox almost became an EV – in 2011, Volkswagen announced the E-Fox, but the project was canceled due to high battery costs.
  • In Brazil, the Fox was a best-seller thanks to its low price and adaptation to local roads.
  • In Europe, the Fox was quickly discontinued due to stricter emissions regulations and the rising popularity of the Polo.
  • The CrossFox with AWD was a rare version sold only in South America.
  • The Fox inspired the Volkswagen Up! – many of its compact design ideas carried over to the newer model.

 

Conclusion

The Volkswagen Fox was a typical budget car of the 2000s. While it wasn’t a hit in Europe, it remained in production in Latin America for nearly 20 years. Today, the Fox can be found on the used car market – a decent city car as long as you don’t expect premium-level comfort.