Hazarding a guess and like yourself, spending alot of time behind the wheel.
The % actual RPM requested or used against % available RPM is alot higher in a light aircraft compared to my 320D.
I've never driven my car at full tilt with the RPM on max on the M40
, yet I do this everytime I launch myself down 27 at EGNX !!
Also, car engines today have alot more technology in them regarding reliability and management, or so they tell us. BMW actually told me last month that my current car has an adaptive engine management system that logs and takes into consideration my driving style (rpm, gear change and the like) and uses this information to produce the most efficient use of the engine / gearbox etc etc.
