Does less horsepower mean slower?
In general, the more horsepower a vehicle produces, the faster it will accelerate. For example, a compact car and a larger sedan with the same horsepower rating may perform differently. The compact sedan, which is likely lighter, will accelerate more quickly.
How much horsepower does a car need to be fast?
One of the reasons that a vehicle needs enough power is to have enough for situations when not just cruising. For example, when traveling at a speed of 60 mph, the typical car needs between 10 and 20 horsepower to maintain the constant rate of speed.
Why do some cars have high horsepower but low torque?
For instance, a lightweight sports car that operates at high rpm may have high horsepower, but low torque. That would be a small amount of force applied at a fast rate. Conversely, most trucks, buses, and tractors have very high torque, and lower horsepower.
Do race cars run out of horsepower quickly?
But it runs out quickly. Racecars have high horsepower due to high RPMs, not due to high torque (see gearing). “Below 5252 RPMs any engine’s torque will always be higher than its horsepower, and above 5252 RPMs any engine’s horsepower will always be higher than its torque.
What is the difference between horsepower and speed in cars?
Horsepower allows the car to climb a hill without slowing. To a point, faster engine speeds yield more horsepower. When the car downshifts to accelerate, it has more horsepower to use. Remember this: Diesel engines produce more torque, but comparatively less horsepower. Horsepower vs. Speed: What’s the Difference?
What makes acceleration torque or horsepower?
So a technical answer to the question of, “What makes acceleration: torque or horsepower?”, is torque. But torque at the wheels—not at the engine. And becauase acceleration is torque at the wheels, the real answer is horsepower, because horsepower encompasses not only the engine’s torque but the total torque that gets delivered to the wheels.