With a portfolio as vast as the Volkswagen Group, selective reuse has always been part of the corporate tradition. Back in the late 70s, such was the case for the B1 architecture. Audi ceased production of its first-generation 80 (called Fox in the USA) in 1978. Ingolstadt was shifting to the B2-generation 80 that would give birth to the ur quattro, while tooling for B1 was shipped off to Brazil.
Volkswagen do Brasil had been producing air-cooled VWs in South America for years, and aimed to move into the water-cooled era with the implementation of the B1 production tooling albeit with some changes. That chassis code would be re-dubbed BX and would also use some B2 components. It would eventually spawn models like the Gol (a 3-door hatchback coupe), Parati (3-door wagon) and Voyage (sedan). Interestingly, versions of the sedan and wagon would also be sold in the USA also using the “Fox” designation just as the Audi B1 that preceded it.
While the BX cars had nothing to do with being sold as an Audi once they went into production, we still hold them in a high degree of interest. Audi produced a Fox Station Wagon (pre-dating the name “Avant”), though it was a four-door and not a shooting brake like the Parati. Maybe more interesting is the Gol, a hatchback maybe closest to the early B1 VW Passat/Dasher 3-door, though not quite as ungainly in its profile, and making a coupe-like form that seems to hark the B2 Coupe (GT and ur quattro) just a bit. Audi never made a hatchback or fastback version of the B1, so perhaps this is what it could have looked like had they cared to do so.
Volkswagen do Brasil maintains a museum at its São Bernardo do Campo factory. There, a collection of over 90 vehicles is maintained by volunteers and former employees. One of those employees who goes by the name Luciano recently shared these previously unseen images related to the creation of the BX family of vehicles. It includes the models listed above, designed by Márcio Piancastelli and reviewed on February 22, 1978 by company bosses in Wolfsburg.
These and other photos were shared with the Car Design Archives who maintains a blog on Facebook. Check them out for even more insight into what became of the B1 architecture after it left Audi’s control in Ingolstadt.
