There are those that are truly interested in hp or torque, but what most (maybe average) people are probably interested in is acceleration, which hp is sort of an index of (notable exception, cement mixer trucks). Having said that, and as others have noted, there are ways at getting at acceleration other than hp. Of course, we have a 1/4 mile thread for indexing that.

It's interesting to look across the Zs here and to look at Zs versus other vehicles and see how power and other performance variables are (or are not) correlated. My opinion is that no other vehicle can touch the Z on a per dollar basis when you use the Charisma Corrected Performance Index (CCPI). Roughly speaking CCPI ((acceleration x top speed) ^ lateral G) x Charisma Coefficient)).

For some cars, you have to modify the Charisma Coefficient and correct for driver douchebaggery; e.g. a Viper scores very high on looks, but it's Charisma Coefficient is brought way down by the douchosity of (some) Dodge drivers.

Acceleration...http://www.the370z.com/track-autocro...yone-post.html