on video NEVER be confused by HORSEPOWER and TORQUE again - HP and TORQUE EXPLAINED in the MOST VISUAL WAY

 

Quick Facts About Horsepower and Torque

Torque is responsible for making your car accelerate quickly.

Horsepower helps determine your car's top speed.

EVs usually have more torque than gasoline-powered cars, making them accelerate faster.

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.

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 higher 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 2023 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 maintaining 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 do something because the amount of work and force produced in the engine directly relates to how much the vehicle can tow and tow.

See our Towing Capacity Guide.

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.

Look at big trucks, for example. Thanks to a new 3.5 L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine, any 2023 Ford F-150 can produce 570 ft-lb of torque, but you wouldn't dare bet on that pickup truck in a race. That's because, despite its high torque, it only produces 450 horsepower. And while that's a decent amount, when you factor in the vehicle's weight, the horsepower would have to be much higher for it to compete in a high-speed race. The torque in the F-150 does, however help its towing and payload capacity.

Torque is essentially the power needed to get the car moving. This is what helps it to accelerate to the coveted 2- to 3-second 0 to 60 mph time. On the other hand, horsepower will be responsible for the car's top speed and maintaining that speed. That's why vehicles with V8, V12, and turbocharged engines can go so fast because they produce more power. And where does that power come from?

 

Quick Facts About Horsepower and Torque

Torque is responsible for making your car accelerate quickly.

Horsepower helps determine your car's top speed.

EVs usually have more torque than gasoline-powered cars, making them accelerate faster.

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.

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 higher 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 2023 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 maintaining 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 do something because the amount of work and force produced in the engine directly relates to how much the vehicle can tow and tow.

See our Towing Capacity Guide.

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.

Look at big trucks, for example. Thanks to a new 3.5 L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine, any 2023 Ford F-150 can produce 570 ft-lb of torque, but you wouldn't dare bet on that pickup truck in a race. That's because, despite its high torque, it only produces 450 horsepower. And while that's a decent amount, when you factor in the vehicle's weight, the horsepower would have to be much higher for it to compete in a high-speed race. The torque in the F-150 does, however help its towing and payload capacity.

Torque is essentially the power needed to get the car moving. This is what helps it to accelerate to the coveted 2- to 3-second 0 to 60 mph time. On the other hand, horsepower will be responsible for the car's top speed and maintaining that speed. That's why vehicles with V8, V12, and turbocharged engines can go so fast because they produce more power. And where does that power come from?