[Sammus]

I thought for any rotation that power is directly proportional (not equal to) to torque * frequency? Then figured that a motor of any kind will put out a certain torque at a certain rpm, and you look at the torque and rpm to figure out the power output and said rpm.

4-banger? I take it you mean 4cyl not a 4-stroke (as two stroke obsessed dirt bike riders use 4 banger to refer to the engine of superior design). Interesting comparison with the truck, most of the medium rigid trucks run 4cyl turbo diesel motors but I get what you're saying. Low rpm diesel motors vs high rpm jap sports car motor. Still, I think the choice in 1:1 cars is more of a cost thing. A little 4cyl turbo sports motor would go fine in a tow truck geared right down, but they would be stupidly expensive and unreliable compared to a big ol' clunkin V8 whose design hasn't changed for the past 30 years.