the 1.8 16v in the Mk2 golf gti for instance was a superb engine, loads of poke especially considering it's old school now.
so what happened when it went 2L?
8v AGG 120 'ish bhp, 130 'ish torque
16v ABF 150 'ish torque ??
not exactly big power per litre
The fact that Honda have long been getting 100bhp per litre without the use of forced induction and even their 20 year old cars are still up to scratch today performance wise speaks volumes.
even my pre-V-tec M-rtec '91 Beat came with 100bhp/L from new
OK so it's only 660cc and now 20yrs later has 60 left , torque is non-existent...45lb/ft means you have to work it but its part of the fun with n/a engines
there's no such thing as 'better', just different, i love my 2CV's engine just as much as the FR's CR170