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In America torque matters more than horsepower and torque is what keeps you running at high speeds. In Europe horse power matters more as that is what accelerates you from a stop. What sells (and is marketed) in each country is different of course.

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So you're thinking we can't ride at highway speeds in Europe with "small" 120hp engines?

That's... misguided :)

You have it the other way around.

No, horsepower to torque*rpm (and some other factors) is what you get at high RPMs which you normally accelerate from a stop. Once you are up to speed your transmission switches to low RPM where you get less horsepower, but better fuel efficiency.

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