Horsepower and torque, both terms are tossed around with equal weight, but you need to understand their difference to make a good argument about acceleration.
Engineering Explained sat down to make a simple tutorial that clears up any confusion about these automotive buzzwords.
“Torque is a force acting at a radius, while horsepower simply incorporates time into the equation,” they explain on YouTube. “This video will discuss the differences, how each applies to internal combustion engines, how they relate, what peak torque and peak horsepower actually mean, and how to analyze torque and horsepower curves. Finally, what’s more important for acceleration, a car with lots of power, or lots of torque?”
Watch the video below and share it with anyone who seems to be a little lost when it comes to bragging about engine power. Click here to see the effect of power-to-weight ratio on a street race.