What is horsepower?

[morepower]

To all the real automotive enthusiasts: I know the title sounds really stupid but I was wondering if horsepower really determine's a cars performence (from an ignorant car fanatic). While I admit there is many other factors to consider in car performance (weight, aerodynamics, transmission/driveline). For example, every run-of-the-mill car now a days has high 100s (170+) to mid-high 200s. Does this mean they whip cars from just a decade(s) ago with inferior hp ratings like the 70s-80s corvettes? One example is the 3.0L (222 hp) v6 2000 Maxima, but now an equivalent engine produces 250+. Does this mean anything? Dodge's RAM SRT-10 limits are tested by an horsepower inferior Ford SVT Lightning? While a horsepower rating is much less? Also what is with Chrysler's 300C SRT-8 with a 425 hp engine (more than a Z06 Corvette) only moving from 0-60 in mid 5s? In physics, power = force*velocity. (1 hp ~= 750 W = 1 kg * m^2/ sec^3) Therefore there is a direct relationship between how fast an engine can produce a force in a given time.

Are car companies bragging about 'peak theroretical horsepower' instead of real power to draw attention, unlike previous years? Much like my vacuum cleaner produces 5 hp and draws only 6 amps!!!

Thanks

[Sweeney921]

Horsepower sells cars, torque moves them.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm

[targa]

horsepower is mystical elves that run on on the top of the wheels and drink gas


Sweeney921-UCP's only mountain biker?

how exactly do you "mountain" bike in richmond....

[TheOne]

horsepower is worthless if the car itself is way over heavy(chrysler 300C).

as you said there are many other factors nowdays like weight, aero, driveline and drivers themselves.

[targa]

Originally Posted by TheOne

as you said there are many other factors nowdays like weight, aero, driveline and drivers themselves

like a car with 1000bhp and 170ft-lb

[morepower]

Originally Posted by Sweeney921

Horsepower sells cars, torque moves them.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm

I like that

[morepower]

Originally Posted by targa

like a car with 1000bhp and 170ft-lb

What you are saying is a car is useless if it can quickly produce torque if it only can produce 170 ft-lbs? Are you implying that a power means nothing if torque is not produced?

[TheOne]

well there's the thing that says hp = torque x rpm.

[targa]

Originally Posted by morepower

What you are saying is a car is useless if it can quickly produce torque if it only can produce 170 ft-lbs? Are you implying that a power means nothing if torque is not produced?

well, power means nothing if torque is not produced...thats a fact

and effectivly, power means nothing if there is an inadequate amount of torque to support it, yes....thats what i am implying

[Alastor]

Originally Posted by targa

well, power means nothing if torque is not produced...thats a fact

and effectivly, power means nothing if there is an inadequate amount of torque to support it, yes....thats what i am implying

Why is torque so important if it can be multiplied indefinitely via gearing, whereas power cannot?

[fpv_gtho]

Torque's the actual force, power is an equation derived from the force and the speed, in the case of engines its revs. The way i see it, both dont mean much unless you know what car theyre in bla bla bla

[spi-ti-tout]

I'm starting to get scared.....
....this stuff is so confusing

Hehehe

[Sweeney921]

Originally Posted by targa

Sweeney921-UCP's only mountain biker?

how exactly do you "mountain" bike in richmond....

Trips to the blue ridge mountains are pretty nice.

[spi-ti-tout]

Originally Posted by targa

how exactly do you "mountain" bike in richmond....

He never said he "mountain bikes" in richmond.....

[QuattroMan]

some people have tooooo much HP that cant handle it,,,ill take torque any day.