More musings.

From what I have read. Porche determined that they could not get anymore performance from the aircooled engine therefore they went watercooled. Another reason was of impending (at the time) noise emission regulations in most EU countries. 

I seem to recall that most of the early Chrysler "K" cars used VW inline 4's. I believe they were 1.7L. Maybe another reason for lack of availability of inline 4s.

It seems to me that everything VW does has to do with economics. That's what killed the new microbus. The new beetle is a VWoA designed car, the only way VW would approve of it was if it was built in Mexico. I would love to buy the new Scirocco, but because of economics they will not be sold here. The closest I can get to buying one would be to buy a new GTI-R. That also explains the new Routan van. The only way VW can make any money on it is to have Chrysler build it in Canada. 
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-Danno-

illic ain't haud talis res ut a solvo prandium