It's the torque curve and final drive that make it a screamer. Better torque curve (to a point) than the STi and much shorter final drive. The STi was published with a 3.90 while the XT with a 4.44. Those two factors let it get out of the hole quick. Trap speed was a (yawning) 97mph so it's clearly losing steam fast at speed, but the torque curve and gearing really help accerlation at low speeds and aid the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

btw-I think published weight was at or aroudn 3200 (very close to the STi).