You who have the syncros getting around 15mpg...Consider this:  For a 4-wd
vehicle that's not bad fuel economy.  For an RV, that is good fuel economy.
For a vehicle capable of doing both those tasks, and one that was conceived
before fuel consumption was even important to most of the designing
engineers, your 15 mpg is OK.  Heck, it's some 25 years since the WBX motor
was designed.
  Now here's a question for the list...Who's considered what a more
fuel-effective engine transplant might be for the Vanagon?  I know the
diesel-powered vans got/get around 35+mpg..but they also usually  go about
35mph.
   Some of the newer vehicles are  getting closer to 50mpg and with
seemingly good, or at least acceptable performance..Has anyone considered
trying a modern fuel efficient motor in a Vanagon?  I bet there are more
than a few motors now a days, with equal HP (to the WBX) available, and yet
with a fuel-consumption just a fraction of the WBX (or even the Subaru)
motors...Yeah, I know the van is heavier than a new small car and certainly
not aerodynamic, but it seems like 35-45mpg should be possible without being
dangerously slow.
Yeah,  in Cali. you probably would not be allowed to change motors very
easily, but  California is just one state.
 The  way insurance companies handle claims, there ought to be plenty of
almost new  " totaled out" vehicles for salvage, with the newest fuel
efficient motors available for possible use in a Vanagon.
  It certainly would be great to actually go twice or thee times as far on a
tank of fuel and still have a vehicle with all the utility of a Vanagon..The
cost of fuel now makes looking at slightly more complex engine-conversions
more interesting and economically viable.   If you could triple your
range..go 720 miles instead of 250 on your 16 gallon tank at $65..it
wouldn't take very  long to pay for a bit more complex engine transplant
than the usual current options.  How bout a "Scion-igon" or a "Vana-rolla"
to go along with those 'Subigons?" Plenty of room back there.  You could
even pay for extra gearing to change the motor's output with a V-drive or
whatever, if needed.
  Don Hanson