Volkswagen Pointer

The Volkswagen Pointer was a small family car sold by Volkswagen do Brasil in South America from 1994 to 1997. The Pointer was available as a five-door hatchback, and the two-door coupé version, called the Volkswagen Logus, was sold from 1993 till 1996.

It was based on the European version of the Ford Escort, being the result of Volkswagen Group's AutoLatina joint venture with Ford Motor Company, which also saw the Volkswagen Santana rebadged as the Ford Versailles. Although there were sheet metal differences between the Pointer and the Escort, the styling cues (including the door handles) were still noticeably those of Ford rather than Volkswagen.

The last Pointer produced, a hatchback GTI model, was sent to Volkswagen's factory museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

AutoLatina VW Logus history

In March 1993, as part of the Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen do Brasil joint venture in South America called AutoLatina, Volkswagen launched a rebadged Ford Escort MkV as the Volkswagen Logus in a two-door coupé configuration. The Logus was designed in the Ghia Studios in Italy under the stewardship of Luiz Alberto Veiga from Volkswagen do Brasil.

The Logus was launched in March 1993 with four versions: CL 1.6, CL 1.8, GL 1.8 and GLS 1.8. All engines were able to use either ethanol or gasoline. It was assembled in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, alongside its rebadged cousin the Ford Escort MkV.

Logus Highlights

• The Logus had an aerodynamic rating of Cd 0.33.
• 1.8 litre engines had an electronic carburetor.
• In 1994, the GLS engine was upgraded to a 2.0 litre engine.
• In 1996, the Wolfsburg Edition was released.
• The final production year was 1997, as the AutoLatina partnership had been dissolved.

The nameplate remains in use, as the Brazilian made Volkswagen Gol is named Volkswagen Pointer in Mexico.

AutoLatina VW Pointer history

The Volkswagen Pointer five-door hatchback was developed on the same Ford Escort MkV platform as the Volkswagen Logus, presented in 1993 in October. Offered in four versions: CLI 1.8, GLI 1.8, GLI 2.0 and GTI 2.0.

Pointer Highlights

• 1994 Digital Multipoint Injection Ford EEC-IV on GTI improved performance, level of noise and fuel consumption.
• 1995 offered option of coloured bumpers.
• 1996 GTI had new roadwheels and interior upholstery.
• 1996 was also the last year of production, due to the AutoLatina partnership had fallen apart.

Current Pointer

The Pointer nameplate has been used by Volkswagen for the Gol in Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, and Egypt.

External links

• / Club Pointer Net Mexico (in Spanish)
• Club del VW Pointer Argentina (in Spanish)
• Guides and tutorials about VW Pointer Argentina (in Spanish)
• Logus & Pointer Club (in Portuguese)
• Autolatina Club (in Portuguese)
• Best Car Website Brazil reviews Logus & Pointer (in Portuguese)