> I've always thought that the "sweet spot" in a vanagon is around 55
> mph. The handling, fuel consumption, road and wind noise, and just
> over all quality of the driving experience are much better at the
> lower speed in a vanagon, IMHO.

i've always suspected that vw designed all their cars for 100kmph and
500km range ... and then put the properly sized gas tank to meet those
requirements.
or in our language, 62-63 mpg and 300 miles (at that speed; without
hills; without traffic; etc).

the beetles were that way (to me); the squarebacks, the rabbits and
the buses. not sure about the eurovans ... never drove one long enough
to check it out.

now, the thing about 55mph is the rpm ... it's right at the max torque
rpm of the watercooled 2.1 liter engine. not true on the aircooled or
the 1.9 liter watercooled or the diesel.

aircooled - max torque 101 ft-lb @ 3000 rpm
diesel       - max torque  97 ft-lb  @ 2000 rpm
1.9 liter   - max torque 105 ft-lb @ 2600 rpm
2.1 liter   - max torque 117 ft-lb @ 3200 rpm.

so, for the 2.1 liter 4-speed non-syncro (ACW) transmission,
3200 rpm is right at 55mph. so 63 mph would give you a tad of
momentum, but no more torque.

and for the 3-speed automatic,
3200 rpms is also right at 55mph (55.6 calculated).
and 63mph is 200 rpm above that. same thing.

anybody got the gear ratios for the aircooled 4-speed and the
diesel 4-speed?? i need the gear ratios and the final drive ratio.
:)

unca joel