For street driving and I would say auto-cross too, I like a flat torque curve over the rpm range. Nothing more frustrating than mashing the throttle at 2000 rpm and getting a slow dog, at 3000 rpm getting pleasant power, and at 4000 rpm getting a tire shredding monster that you cannot control. Peaky engines can come on so sudden that they are difficult to drive. That said a few people like it and have no problems.
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Probably guys like me that grew up on two stroke dirtbikes and RZ 350 streetbikes...flat until they get up on the pipe, then practically unmanageable. Big fun when I was a kid...but I am 50 now.
Give me a broad torque band for the street.