What's The Difference Between Horsepower and Torque?
How do you compare one car against another? Truth is, there are just too many ways to do that. For some drivers, the differences between vehicles are only skin deep. Some look for different exterior designs and interior features to fit their personal needs and styles. For others, it's all about performance specifications and the numbers that are used to measure them. In this case, a car buyer might look to see how fast a car can go or how it performs when driven off-road.
Two of the most frequently quoted performance numbers are the vehicle's horsepower and torque.
To those who aren't car enthusiasts, comparing the horsepower and torque of two cars could be confusing and intimidating. It doesn't have to be!
In this article, we'll look at the differences between horsepower and torque. We'll explore the definitions of these terms, then see how they're generated and understand why all of this matters. By the end of this article, you'll be much better informed the next time you're comparing one car model against another.
What is torque?
Torque is a force acting on something at a distance. In a way, torque is the amount of 'twisting strength' that a car engine produces. To understand what torque is, imagine yourself riding a bicycle. When you push your foot down to turn the pedal, you're generating torque! The same process happens inside of a car 's combustion engine.
Inside of a combustion-engine car, torque is the amount of force that the engine generates when its pistons push down on and turn the crankshaft, therefore making the vehicle move forward.
When it comes to cars, torque measurements can be expressed in two ways. For some car manufacturers, especially those in countries using imperial measurements, torque is represented as foot-pounds (ft-lbs). For car manufacturers in countries using the metric system, torque is communicated as Newton-meters or Nm.
Using the bicycle analogy from earlier, if you're able to push down more forcefully on the pedal with your legs, your bicycle will accelerate faster. Also, this will allow you to carry more weight and go up hills more quickly, even with that weight.
The same applies to cars. If your vehicle produces more torque, that means that it'll be able to accelerate faster and even go uphill with more ease!
Torque is also crucial for heavier vehicles. This is why torque is an essential factor when choosing between bigger vehicles like trucks, SUVs and the like.
What is horsepower?
Don't worry; no animals are hurt when producing horsepower!
Horsepower actually refers to the amount of power that a car's engine generates. Here, power means the rate in which a certain amount of work is done by that engine to move the vehicle forward.
Again, depending on where you're looking, you'll see horsepower being quoted either in PS (pferdestärke) or kW (kilowatts). 'Pferdestärke' is simply the German word for 'horsepower', and it's just a way to measure horsepower in metric terms.
You might also come across other terms like BHP (brake-horsepower), CV (cheval vapeur, a French term) and even DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen, another German term). These terms are less common nowadays, so don't worry too much about them. Most manufacturers still stick to PS or kW.
Even though horsepower is a way to measure a car's power output, having a high amount of horsepower doesn't guarantee that the vehicle will go fast. Remember: a car's speed depends on many different factors. These factors do include specs like horsepower and torque. Still, it also depends on variables like the car's power-to-weight ratio, for example. So, a lighter car will definitely be faster than a heavier one, even though both have the same amount of horsepower.
How does the engine type affect torque and horsepower?
Ever wondered what the difference is between diesel and petrol engines? Well, one of the key differences is in terms of their power and torque outputs. Diesel engines are known more for their ability to produce more torque. That's why heavier vehicles like trucks and buses tend to use diesel engines. Even massive ships on the ocean that move thousands of tonnes of cargo use diesel engines!
Petrol engines, on the other hand, are better at generating more power. Vehicles using petrol engines are much more efficient at reaching higher speeds. This is why they're found on high-performance cars.
What does all of this mean?
Torque and horsepower are closely related. Torque is basically the engine force that you feel when you're inside a car as it accelerates. Horsepower, on the other hand, tells you how fast the force of the engine can push the vehicle.
But how do these specifications help you in deciding which vehicle is better to buy? Well, like many other things in life, it depends on what your preference is and what you're using the car for.
For example, if you're interested in speed and performance in a car, its horsepower might be the most crucial factor you'll use to compare different models.
However, if you're looking at SUVs or pickup trucks, you'll probably be looking for something with higher torque. What you probably want is to transport lots of cargo and people or to navigate through off-road environments, and you'll need higher torque to do this.
What else should you consider when choosing a car model?
When you're buying a car, horsepower and torque aren't the only factors to consider. You should also consider the car's exterior design like its colour, the grille, the wheels, and more. You'll be driving the car almost every day, so you should make sure that the design fits your personal style!
Don't forget to consider the interior as well. The car should be comfortable for you, and it should also have all the features you need. These include the in-car entertainment features, things like smartphone compatibility, air conditioning, and so on. Last but not least, be sure to check that the car has safety features that are sufficient to keep you and your passengers safe at all times.
It's no use driving a car that's super fast if it provides too little protection for you and your loved ones!