Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (July 1998, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 13 Jul 1998 17:08:01 +0200
Reply-To:     Meier Michael <Michael.Meier@VT.SIEMENS.DE>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Meier Michael <Michael.Meier@VT.SIEMENS.DE>
Subject:      Re: 5 speed? they do exist (in Europe...)
Comments: To: liste <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain

>any ideas as to why the 5speed wasn't offered in the US???

Chris, I think because they are terrible to drive. When you start in 1st it takes enormous long time to bring the damned stick in 2nd position. Normally you've lost all your speed then. (Maybe I'm looking through the pink automatic-glasses....) It's unusual to have the first gear in that position and I think VW didn't want to risk problems with the normal user. The other thing is that US only got the stronger engines (90 hp, 92/95 hp) and not the popular weak 60 / 70 / 78 hp units we mainly had in europe. This takes the need for more gears.

Best wishes Michael Meier Germany

58 split 77 westy 90 caravelle auto


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.