The reason the  wasserboxer was born:
VW didn't built the wasserboxer to bestow the
greatest motor in the world on the people,
but rather to use the old assembly line for the type 2 aircooleds.
So you could say the vanagon engine was designed to fit
an existing assembly line.
I guess you could call that the D.M.
At that time, VW didn't have enough factories to assemble
in-line four engines (rabbits were selling like hotcakes).
So the wasserboxer was born. (as rumor had it).
Harald
'90 westy

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> From: T.P. Stephens <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>

 >Yes, the Wasserboxer is a unique attempt to offer more HP and cleaner
running
 >that the consumers and social conscience was calling for. Speculation on
what
 >they were thinking. "Well, the market wants more power and a better
heater
 >with this rear engine design, but they don't want to pay the price of a
911
 >system. What to do??? Let's make up a prototype standard proven
 >air cooled with water jackets and test it and see what happens in the
lab.
 >Several iterations of modification and testing later, not too bad. Go get
 >the next Vanagon chassis off the line and install this sucker for some
road
 >testing.  Works good, more HP, clean running, heater ist gut. Sell it."
> Doktor Tim
> Maintenance Repair and Restoration of European Vehicles
> San Juan Island, WA