Horsepower vs. Torque: Which is More Important?
Have you ever wondered why your car may or may not go from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds? Well, it has everything to do with the torque and horsepower on your car.
These two features essentially determine the speed of your vehicle. The higher the torque and horsepower, the faster you go. This is why car commercials love to boast about how much horsepower and torque their respective cars can produce.
But, what do these things actually do, and how are they different? We provide all the answers to your speed-related questions below, so you can determine which is best for you.
What is Horsepower?
Horsepower refers to how much power your engine can produce in a certain amount of time. So, the more horsepower that your engine has, the faster you will be able to go. Simple right?
Well, it’s a bit more complex than that. The horsepower doesn’t have much to do with the “off-the-line” speed, but once the car takes off, the ability to use a high top speed and maintain high speeds is where the horsepower kicks in. The power produced from the engine is what’s keeping the vehicle moving at such speeds.
That amount of time is either measured in one second or one minute. This force is what essentially has to do with how fast your car goes when you are stepping on the gas pedal.
Vehicles like the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 can reach a top speed of 168 because the power produced from the engine keeps the car constantly accelerating and eventually maintain a top speed.
What is Torque?
Torque, like horsepower, is responsible for the speed of your car. Torque is related to the amount of twisting force something can push out. So when you are trying to twist open a sticky doorknob, the force needed to twist and open the door refers to the amount of torque being used.
So how does this relate to how fast your car can go? Well, if you’ve ever tried to race somebody at a traffic light, how quick you went from stop to start is because of torque. It is responsible for how quickly the car can accelerate and helps you go from 0-60 mph in a matter of seconds.
The up-and-down motion of the pistons in your engine produces force. The force is then transferred to your wheels which in turn causes the car to go. It is especially necessary if you plan to tow something because the amount of work and force produced in the engine directly relates to how much the vehicle can pull and tow.
What is the Difference Between Horsepower and Torque?
While horsepower and torque do go hand in hand to ensure a fast ride, they are still two completely different aspects of your engine’s capability. You can’t have one without the other, but you can have one high and one low. Let us explain.
(photo credit: Bring a Trailer)
