Yes, but here' my question, don't I need more torque at low end rather than at 3500 rpm (and above) where my car does not really live most of the time (and/or has already gained enough momentum to not really be in need of as much torque but rather horsepower)?
And if I am at 3500 rpm, its usually on the freeway while cruising at much higher speeds or trying to gain more speed in a hurry while I am already at highway speed. And at those speeds, doesn't horse power have more role to play than torque?
Even if I a step on gas relatively hard off the line, by the time I am at 3500 rpm its already time for the car to up-shift to a higher gear. So just when I reach the peak torque its time to up-shift.
I always had thought/read that torque is generally beneficial at the low end and horsepower at the high end of rpm.
You're more or less correct. HP = Torque x RPM / 5252
So, from a start, it's torque that matters. For top speed, it's HP, because ultimately, higher RPM = higher HP. In the middle, basically, it depends.
From the formula, it's clear why flat torque curves are good, as torque drops off, at some point, you'll want to be in a higher gear with lower RPM to get more power.