Does the torque rating really effect mpg?

It is a mark I look for in students when running a mountain. That tells me that this is a driver who understands how to use energy in his favor, in this case the downgrade to build up some speed without using fuel to do it.

Any time I see that with a driver, I want to hire him or her. I do not necessarily do that myself but I usually allow our car to drift up to speed on downgrades here in the Ozarks which can be pretty crooked and steep.