The Roots of Voyage: Meet the BY Project

Before the iconic was born BX Project, which would result in the launch of the Goal, Voyage, Parati It is sloop, Volkswagen tried to bring to Brazil a solution inspired by the European market: the Pole and its variations. The Polo hatchback, the Derby (sedan version) and the station wagon version were almost the protagonists of a new era in Brazil. However, the BY Project, as it was called, faced great challenges that prevented its completion.

The Context of the BY Project

In the 70s, Brazil lived under the military regime, a period in which all new vehicles had to be approved by the government. What's more, the sale price was rigorously taxed. Volkswagen, which was looking to expand its line with modern models, ran into a crucial problem: the high cost of the BY Project and the technological differences that made it difficult to adapt the Polo to the Brazilian reality.

Despite these difficulties, the idea of BY Project left its mark. Many elements of the Polo and its derivatives were reused in the development of the BX, making the resulting models true sales successes and iconic in Brazilian automotive history.

The Similarities with the Voyage

If you compare the design of the European Polo and our beloved one Voyage, you will realize numerous similarities. Starting with the wheels: the Polo used wheels steel with chrome caps, very similar to those found in the LS and S versions of the Voyage between 1981 and 1986. To the chrome door handles, you rear view mirrors and the side friezes also strongly resemble the early years of the Brazilian compact sedan.

At the front, the European Polo was equipped with round headlights It is chromed steel bumpers, details that refer directly to our 70s Passat. And when you look at the rear, the similarities don't stop: the taillights of the Polo were practically identical to those used in the Gol until 1986.

The design of the trunk lid It's from rear window? They were practically the same as the Voyage. This similarity in design was no mere coincidence. Volkswagen took advantage of the successful lines of the European Polo to shape the future of its compacts in Brazil.

Interior Details: The Polo Influence

When you enter the interior of the European Polo, you can find several parts that were also used in the Voyage. The dials, for example, were identical to those in our Brasilia. Other dashboard components, such as controls and handles, would only appear on the Voyage from 1988.

If you look at the passenger side, you will notice something interesting: the internal rearview mirror control is the same one used in the Voyage LS line from 1985. And the internal door handles? These would only reach the Brazilian market with the BX line in 1988.

You banks The Polo's upholstery was also a reference for the Voyage. The European Polo already used thicker, more resistant fabrics, with adjustable headrests. This standard would be adopted in the Voyage years later, marking a leap in quality in interior comfort.

Advanced Mechanics for the Time

In the 1970s, the European Polo was ahead of its time. Equipped with water cooled engines, had options of 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 liters, depending on the version and fuel type. This contrasted sharply with Brazilian models of the time, which still relied largely on air-cooled engines.

These engines offered a combination of performance and efficiency that the Brazilian market would only see years later. Volkswagen chose to simplify the mechanics in the BX Project, adapting it to the reality of Brazil, where low maintenance and resistance were essential.

Conclusion: A Project That Left Its Mark

Although the BY Project did not succeed, it was essential in shaping the identity of Volkswagen's compact cars in Brazil. Many of the design elements and technical solutions were incorporated into the BX Project, which resulted in iconic vehicles like the Voyage.

Today, when looking at the classic Voyage, it is impossible not to imagine what it would have been like if the Polo and its derivatives had arrived on the Brazilian market in the 1970s. These models would probably have revolutionized the market even more quickly, but they would also have faced challenges such as high price and the limitations imposed by the government.

In 2024, it's fascinating to revisit this story and see how past decisions shaped what we know today. If you're a fan of Volkswagen and its classic models, certainly recognizes the importance of this legacy. After all, even projects that never come to fruition can have a lasting impact on the automotive industry.