You know whar steve u are right and I am sort of right.. here is the clarification as to question around 'peaky' engines..

It is the horsepower curve is typically what matters, and your 'wheel' torque is generated by your gearing. I completely forgot about that..

The reason being that gearing is a torque multiplier..

My statement that the car with more torque will be quicker, given the same gearing is still correct, it is just that it is a product of HP..