It's not about missing the point, it about MMC missing an opportunity to build a classic looking car with the advantages of modern material.
As far as torque is concerned, going on the figures published, 115lbs/ft doesn't strike me as being particularly strong for a 2 litre, in fact, it's decidedly average, although of course it may make peak torque at 1500rpm and hold it all the way to 5000rpm, in which case it is at least making the most of what it has got.
