RE: Ok now I'm scared!
yes, but remember, horsepower doesn't move a car, torque does. Not to mention your math is a little off, but the S2000 only makes 162 lb.ft. at 6800 rpm. It makes its maximum horsepower at 7800 rpm so you never get to use all the horses efficiently. On the other hand, take the Nissan Z, it makes 287 horses at 6200 rpm, and 274 lb.ft. of torque at 4800 rpm; a much lower offset. While neither car is a 1:1 ratio of horsepower to torque, it take less effort on the engine to get the Nissan rolling. Thusly showing that the Nissan engine is far more efficient. I've owned both Nissans and Hondas and I agree with you, I'll take rice versus domestic any day. Right now, my little Sentra gets me where I want to go comfortably and fuel efficiently. I just wish it would morph into a Titan.