Engine torque vs HP is hugely misunderstood. A gasonline engine capable of making 500 lb ft of torque @ 3200 rpm will absolutely outpull a diesel engine making 800 lb ft of torque at 1600 rpm. It's not that complicated.
Think of a diesel equipped truck traveling 40 mph with the rear axle turning 400 rpm. When the diesel is delivering its maximum torque on the crankshaft of 800 lb ft at 1600 rpm the torque on the rear axle at 400 rpm will be 3200 lb ft.
The gasoline equipped truck will be in a much lower gear to have the engine running at 3200 rpm while its rear axle is turning 400 rpm. It would be capable of putting 4000 lb ft of torque on the rear axle.
So yes torque is what gets the job done but torque has to be measured and compared on the rear axle to mean anything.
