Umm doesn't an engine produce the most work at Peak HP? I mean because HP is a direct measure of how much work a motor can produce? Torque being a stationary figure and a measure of force only? So if you want to accelerate as fast as possible shouldn't the engine be revving at peak HP?
Personally I think I would love an adjustable CVT (where I can adjust what RPM the engine is doing) so I can choose between max milage and max power. I get shivers when I think about a constant 400hp launching me forward...
Power, whether measured as HP, PS, or KW is what accelerates cars and gets it up to top speed. Power also determines how far you take a wall when you hit it
Engine torque is an illusion.