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Date:         Wed, 10 Jun 1998 13:51:42 -0800
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@MAIL.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@MAIL.SLS.BC.CA>
Organization: Shawnigan Lake School
Subject:      Re: new microbus from VW??
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
In-Reply-To:  <19980610143953.14485.rocketmail@send1c.yahoomail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 10 Jun 98 at 7:39, Sam Scholten wrote:

> Chris, > > I agree 200%. I can understand how it is possible to build a > front-engined car resembling a Type I, but how the f$%# can anybody > even approximate a "bus" this way? Part of the appeal of the bus was > the way it felt on the road with the weight in the back, as well as > having the front wheel under you. When I got my van, people fought to > ride shotgun home from partying. Back-road cruising is also a blast. > That doesn't quite happen in a Caravan. > > I would suggest contacting Volkswagen AG with your friend's renderings > and a cover letter explaining the appeal of the T1-T3 Transporters. > Remember, the only real problem with the newer (88-91) Vanagons were > that they were overpriced and underpowered. If Mr. Piëch really wants > to sell products in America, I don't understand why they wouldn't > listen. > 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. 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 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.

======================== Shawn Wright Computer Systems Manager Shawnigan Lake School 250-743-6240 swright@sls.bc.ca


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