wmd wrote:

intuitively its 200 hp, just in a different form. turbines are low torque
engines as I found out several years ago. The two are related though as you
point out ( torque and HP ). A high torque engine at appropriate rpm may
allow one to forgo the transmission or the PSRU, no ? just asking

bill

Torque is primarily a function of displacement. Large displacement 
is usually associated with large external size. Large external size is 
usually associated  with heavy weight.

Primarily the bottom line is HP to weight ratio regardless of
the torque and this includes the weight of the required gearing.
Secondarily the next line up is HP to exterior volume of the 
engine. On both counts the wankel rotary has high scores.

As far as cars go a six speed or more transmission can make up
for lack of low RPM torque. What would be ideal is an infinitely
variable transmission ratio. This has been the Holy Grail in
the car business for the last 100 years.

Paul Lamar
 
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