Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 06:50:58 -0700
Reply-To: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: new microbus from VW??
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
---Shawn Wright <swright@MAIL.SLS.BC.CA> wrote:
>
>
> >
> Overpriced, yes. Underpowered? Only in comparison to the magic
wagons which
> were then coming with V6s standard. An early 4 banger Caravan had
about the
> same power as the w/b Vanagons.
True, my dad bought an '84 Voyager, when they first came out. American
driving requirements, especially for freeway cruising, generally
involve a larger engine, which is why every automaker, VW inclusive,
eventually offered a V6 in their minivans. Remember, heavy criticism
was levelled at Chrysler AND Volkswagen for both having underpowered
vans; Chrysler was quicker to realize this and put the turbo, and
eventually the V6, in their minivans for a considerable amount of time
before VW did. Look at how small the WB is (remember that the engine
bay was designed to accommodate the Type IV and inline 4 diesel
engines) and it is some wonder why VW didn't offer a flat-6. Perhaps
the tranny can't hang with the power.
Personally, I find my '88 Westy has plenty of
> power, but then I'm a long time diesel driver who's used to using
the available
> power effectively.
I feel similary about the '84, which has plenty of power for a
Volkswagen Bus, especially off the line. However, relative to anything
else, it's still slow, which proved to be a major minus regarding the
saleability of the van.
> I love the Vanagon (and earlier) bus designs, but I don't think we
can expect
> VW to go back to a rear engine bus again. The easiest way for them
to offer
> more power affordably is to use an existing platform which has a V6
already.
>
> The EV was a flop in the US, so I don't think VW is ready to take
another risk
> just to satisfy the US market.
Good point. However, (this view will be unpopular on the list),
Chrysler sold a van which, in many aspects, was inferior to VWs and
based on that awful K-car, successfully because they did the requisite
market research beforehand. The EV was designed with an apparent lack
of this- if VW wanted to make a Chrysler copy, they should have
designed it so it had the qualities that sold the Chrysler. Or to go
another route, they should have done the research to find out that a
Bus/Vanagon is a "niche" vehicle (Chrysler has already figured out
about niche vehicles) and thus improve the van based on this.
Flamers, step off.
Best regards,
Sam
==
"Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)"
| "I'm not Punk, I'm New-Wave!"
...quit whining...
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