Everything You Need to Know About Horsepower, BHP and Torque
When we are talking about a car’s performance, there are a few words that will always come up. You can be sure that horsepower, BHP and torque will be among them. Unsure of what they mean? Let’s clear things up.
Horsepower (HP):
Horsepower is a unit of measurement. It is used to describe how much work an engine can do over time. One unit of horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. It was named - yes, it is as literal as it seems - after the power that a horse can generate.
The higher the horsepower, the more powerful the engine, usually meaning your car will be able to go faster. So, if your car has 300 horsepower it will reach higher speeds faster than a car with 200 horsepower.
Brake Horsepower (BHP):
Brake horsepower is once again a unit of measurement. Very similar to horsepower, brake horsepower measures the work the engine does but this time in a far more precise way. It measures the engine’s power after the power losses from the gearbox, water pump, alternator and anything else that may drain the engine’s power.
So even though brake horsepower might be a lower number, it is a far more accurate measure of how much engine power is left for the wheels to use.
Torque:
Measured in pound feet (lb-ft) or Newton metres (Nm), torque is a rotational force. Imagine trying to open a jar – torque is the force that twists the lid. With cars, torque is the force that gets the wheels moving. Higher torque figures mean the car can put the engine power down better through the wheels, especially off the line.
If you need a car for towing, torque is what you will pay close attention to. The bigger the torque figure, the bigger loads it will be able to pull.
Knowledge is power
Let’s take a moment to recap:
- Horsepower is how fast your car will go.
- Brake horsepower is a more accurate measure of the same power.
- Torque tells you how quickly it can get moving.
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Hopefully we have helped bring you up to date with the terminology you need to feel confident when talking about a car’s specifications. If you want to discuss your next car with us, please give us a call or drop into your local Vertu Motors.