Mitch wrote: "Hmm... on my VS, you can reach the front latch from under the car and presumably open it with a screwdriver or pliers if needed. Is there a panel in the way on other replicas?"
When I installed the gas heater in the nose of my CMC I wanted to place the air intake such that it would not ingest rain water from the road, so I have a splash guard up in front that prevents easy access to the frunk latch. You can still get to it, but the access is on the wrong side (Murphy's law) or by removing a small panel ( sheet metal screws ) but it would be much easier with just a cable to pull to the side.