Volkswagen's Brazilian-built subcompact debuted for 1987 as an entry-level 2-door or a step-up GL 4-door sedan. Those two were followed by an unusual 2-door station wagon (which was dropped after '90). A Fox measured 5.4 inches longer than the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, but 8.3 inches shorter than a Jetta sedan. At 92.8 inches, its wheelbase was 4.5 inches shorter than that of the Golf/Jetta duo. Motorized front shoulder belts went into 1990 models, and separate lap belts had to be buckled manually. The 1990 lineup included a base 2-door sedan, GL 4-door sedan, and GL 2-door station wagon. Those three used an 81-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4 cylinder engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. The GL Sport 2 door held the same engine, but it drove a 5-speed manual transmission.