Don't be swayed by HP figures....Torque is what really counts.
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Don't forget one extremely important fact. The old ratings (pre-1972) cannot be compared to horsepower ratings today. For example:
So when people look back fondly at the muscle car era and wax poetic about 400+ HP engines, if they were tested today in stock form then would not be putting down near those numbers. Not to mention those engines got 15mpg is you were lucky.
So when people look back fondly at the muscle car era and wax poetic about 400+ HP engines, if they were tested today in stock form then would not be putting down near those numbers. Not to mention those engines got 15mpg is you were lucky.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Speaking of torque and hybrids, a good example of this is the Highlander. Instead of going for all out efficiency Toyota basically matched the horsepower rating of the non hybrid engine. But the torque is another story, the Highlander hybrid is VERY responsive around town and even at freeway speeds. Stomp the pedal and you can blow by cars like nothing. That's torque for you.
I have not driven a Tesla S but I can imagine it is an amazing experience, the torque curve is completely flat.
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Tesla S is nice, and I would love High Performance Hybrid. You will not run out of Juice. Unlike the Tesla S, you will run out of Juice. Beside, what if every one tap into the Grid ?
#20
Moderator
iTrader: (16)
Actually you relax and then check the facts. Winning a car race is all about HP. Drag racing maybe different but not for real races. You need good gearing, good engineering and high horses.
Because we are talking about the average user, a high HP engine is better suited than a low HP very high torque engine.
Because we are talking about the average user, a high HP engine is better suited than a low HP very high torque engine.
#22
Lexus Fanatic
#24
Lexus Test Driver
I would love nothing more than to have my dad's old 67 Firebird. That 400 cubic inch engine from Pontiac is a torque monster. I recall reading that it offered superior performance in a 68 test by C&D in the pony car segment, including against its cousin, the Camaro...being that Chevy engines were high revvers and didn't have as much low-end torque as the old indian.
#26
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Most cars have a good balance of HP & torque.
Drive a diesel they have so much low end torque but then they just run out of breath.
Here's the performance curve of the Audi 2.0L TDI
Drive a diesel they have so much low end torque but then they just run out of breath.
Here's the performance curve of the Audi 2.0L TDI
#27
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But outright acceleration is all about HP to weight ratio. Take the diesel 330d as it has roughly the same torque to weight ratio as an F1 car. Yet it doesn't accelerates no where near an F1 car
#28
Lead Lap
I would love nothing more than to have my dad's old 67 Firebird. That 400 cubic inch engine from Pontiac is a torque monster. I recall reading that it offered superior performance in a 68 test by C&D in the pony car segment, including against its cousin, the Camaro...being that Chevy engines were high revvers and didn't have as much low-end torque as the old indian.
How would that influence the already massive torque? Also interesting to look in general how turbo
charging influence torque (meaning torque curve etc).
Last edited by nipponbird; 04-27-14 at 04:37 AM.
#29
Lexus Test Driver
In any case, your conclusion is nevertheless correct. The reason is that gearing can keep the engine in the rpm range of peak hp, which makes torque largely irrelevant.
Last edited by gengar; 04-27-14 at 04:19 AM.
#30
Lexus Test Driver
Firebirds are very rare here, never been brought in officially by GM (they have a plant here since before the great depression). Once knew a guy who had a collection on his plot which will send the guys on American Pickers in a spin. Had a Firebird there which was turbocharged. Guy sweared that it was factory fitted. To thicken the plot, it had a moniker on the rear deck to denote this fact (but it could've been aftermarket). Was it an option or a special production run?
How would that influence the already massive torque? Also interesting to look in general how turbo
charging influence torque (meaning torque curve etc).
How would that influence the already massive torque? Also interesting to look in general how turbo
charging influence torque (meaning torque curve etc).