Seen many 4 cylinders run 10's and 11's - Yes turbo's or nitrous are used & yes that does add torque (like you mentioned - but not in the amounts you are talking or down low)
now count how many of them have 9000rpm redlines and 500hp+. when you can redline at 9000rpm and have 500+hp and probably awd, you don't need to worry about tq as much... but this is hardly the case with the contour.
i am offically a troll... so take my information and advice with a grain of salt.
