I've read you inpressions, and I don't think you have ever driven a rotary before.
A naturally aspirated rotary is not a torque monster, never has, never will be. The reason the RENSIS is such an impressive motor is becuase it is the first one to make as much power as it does N/A. Among other desing features, particularly the 9000 rpm redline.
Of course, the counter to that is the Honda S2000 does that. However, rotaries have been doing that long before V-TEC was even a dream...