Hi buslovers-

I think I was the only recipient of WW's treatise on the future of the
Vanagon.  I am posting it here in case he doesn't.  BTW, William, I rather
liked it.

--phil

> 
>  Hi,
> 
> > A recent post mentioned something about a 5-cylinder engine in a later
> > vanagon.  Is this a stock engine for the later models?
> 
>  The newer, front engined, vans can have a five cylinder diesel engine
> fitted. I wouldn't expect there to be any backward compatibility with
> the waterboxer engines. Is there a five cylinder petrol engine available
> in the US?
> 
> >							... I always felt 
> > that my 77 bus with the 2.0l 4 was pretty underpowered...
> 
>  Hmm, the 2.0 litre vans that I drove were plenty powerful enough for me.
> They would easily manage over 80mph in UK trim, maybe they were much worse
> when kitted out for the US market?
> 
> > 				      ...  I think a vanagon with the Audi
> > 5, especially the turbo version with ~165 bhp would be pretty reasonable.
> 
>  Hmm, maybe you should look at the custom conversions that put 911 flat sixes
> into vanagons, I suspect that VW don't have plans to put anything that powerful
> into their vans but then what do I know? :-)
> 
>  Maybe VW will try to compete with the Renault Espace, I can see the
> advertising already...
> 
>  < Camera pans across rugged mountain landscape, an incredibly twisty road
> devoid of traffic is being negotiated by a short-wheelbase front-engined
> transporter with a windsurfer strapped to the roof, a stunningly beautiful
> woman and an impossibly cute child in the passenger seat and a group of
> exquisitely tailored businessmen chatting in the rear.>
> 
>  *fade up ethereal music, reminiscent of Clannad being played on Didgeridoos*
> 
>  "A *new* concept in sports-recreation, an executive vehicle with *space* for
> a boardroom or a family car with *exciting* performance...The new
> Transporter GTI from Volkswagen is all of these and more! With it's close
> ratio gearbox and VR6 engine the Transporter GTI features mindblowing
> acceleration, it's lowered and stiffened suspension promises spirited
> handling and the 16" alloy wheels with low-profile tyres offer tenacious
> grip!
> 
>  "Open your mind to the versatility of the Transporter GTI, the new sportsvan
> from Volkswagen!"
> 
>  < Camera pans out from van arriving at luxury hotel, windsurfers are visible
> pulling barrel rolls in the background despite total absence of wind in the
> plam trees. >
> 
>  *fade out*
> 
>  Actually, I rather like the idea, maybe Porsche could contribute to a
> Transporter RS2? A transporter Quattro turbo? A transporter coupe?
> 
>  Nah!
> 
> Cheers,
>         W.
> +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
>