I guess you are misguided when you judge the level from the screenshots. The city quality is almost excellent, made by 3drt. Here is a small version of the city:

http://www.candointeractive.com/gamedesign/car/ghoul/drive.htm
(not mine)
and
http://www.3drt.com/3dm/levels/urban_set/urban_set.htm

About why 3DGS and not torque, I was/am more inclined towards torque. Vincent was the most suitable in the timeframe I had in mind and he know 3DGS only, hence the use of 3DGS.

As long as it plays smooth on a Geforce 3 128MB, I am ok with it. After all I am not selling it