errrr, not true leh fren. torque is torque, power is power, u
cannot compare torque with power, or power with torque. the unit of
torque is Nm, the unit of power is Kw.
generally, cars with large displacement/ undersquare blocks tend to
put out more torque whilst oversquare blocks tends to produce more
power, so it comes as no surprise that continental cars produce
more torque then jap cars. personally, i think continental cars
offers a more refined ride as compared to the raw feeling of a jap
mobile. if i got the dough and i m spoilt enough, i'd prolly go buy
myself the M3. 
in thepower department, i think there are differing schools of
thoughts when it comes to producing power. the japanese are more
for forced induction whilst the europeans tend to border on pure
displacement advantage whilst retaining the NA charateristics. the
most they do is supercharge, but seldom see them turbo charge their
cars.