If you want the best fuel mileage and emissions then you have to make a more efficient motor.
1000cc 50HP pushing 1200 pounds will return extremely poor fuel consumption less then 30MPG compared to the same 1000cc 150HP pushing the same 1200 pounds can get as high as 100MPG and thats just a matter of physics and fact (See formula FORD racing program) and the 100MPG is a design goal from the ELIO team to get there pushing 1200 pounds you have to have at least 125 HP or it is not going to happen. SO, yes it is appropriate and a requirement.
and dont even think about the argumeent that i used racing data and the Elio is not a race car. stick to science and physical facts not argue based on conjecture.
It is about usable power and emissions and fuel consumption Bottom line
and that is what is appropriate not your political sit behind a desk and push keys on a key board, use some intelligence.
And you talk about power curve? I don't think you know what your talking about.
Do some research forced air induction is a must do thing to meet the euro 5 standard.
even without the forced air Induction as far as usable torque curves go there is a plethora of motors that do a better job then what y'all are planning to put in the ELIO. make it fun car not a loser car. here is an american based engine that meets emissions and fuel consumption that are set forth in the ELIO goals
why waist money on engineering and emission testing when someone else has? and yes a quick and responsive motor sells better then any other feature on a car (Look at history).
If you want to keep it selling well and in the future and actually keep it american and use this motor it is a 3 cylinder of the ideal displacement and the bench mark for the class and its from an american car manufacturer and the only one meeting the fuel and emission requirements either use it or use it as a bench mark for what you are trying to build. Too keep the selling price down to under $8000 just buy the engine from Ford. if you build your own there is no way you can do that without making the car price go up above $35K so buy and use the FORD engine