Terms such as torque and power reflect important parameters of engines. But the meaning is not always clear, and often the indications cause confusion. What does Newton metre or Nm mean, and what in turn are the horsepower of an engine? In our guide to power and torque, we explain the difference and provide answers to all the important questions.

What does PS mean?

The power of cars is often expressed in horsepower. The abbreviation PS stands for horsepower. The unit of measurement PS is now considered obsolete, but is still frequently used in common parlance. In official documents such as the vehicle registration certificate, however, the power of a car is stated in kilowatts kW.

Today, the specification of horsepower is mostly only found in the car quartet. But drivers also often state how much horsepower their car has when asked about its performance. Fortunately, power in hp or kW is relatively easy to convert. A power of 1 kW corresponds to 1.36 hp, whereas 1 hp represents a power of 0.735 kW.

What are kW?

The abbreviation kW stands for kilowatt and, like horsepower, indicates the maximum power of the engine in cars. The basic unit is again watt, 1000 watts are one kilowatt. The power rating indicates the amount of energy that can be converted in a specified unit of time. Today, it is customary to always quote the engine power of a vehicle in this unit.

An engine can achieve high power either through high torque or at high speeds. The maximum power is usually only available in the upper speed range. The power of cars with an electric motor is specified exclusively in kilowatts. This should not be confused with the charging power of the electric car.

What is the torque?

Torque is a classical quantity in physics and mechanics. The usual unit of measurement for torque is called the Newton metre and is designated by the abbreviation Nm. This physical quantity indicates the rotational effect with which a certain force acts on the pivot point of a body.

In a car, torque is defined as a force that acts as a rotation on the drive shaft of the engine. Here, the driver is most likely to perceive high torque as a strong pull-through. This is particularly noticeable in electric cars, where the maximum torque is available from the start and at any speed.

What is the relationship of power and torque?

In the internal combustion engine in a car, the variables torque and power are directly related. A certain power can be generated from different constellations of torque and speed. Both values are therefore dependent on the speed.

Power and torque are defined differently. While high power is usually only available at high engine speeds, high torque can already be available at relatively low engine speeds. Maximum torque is also available at lower engine speeds.

Torque or power – which is of greater importance?

Car manufacturers always state the values of power and torque for a vehicle. The question arises as to which value is more important. In practice, this is mostly torque, even though cars are still rated according to their power such as hp and kW.

In practice, an engine with high torque allows good acceleration, which is often important in road traffic. For the driver, the engine with a lot of torque opens up a good pull from the rev range. A car with a lot of power, on the other hand, is more likely to allow a high top speed to be reached.

Difference between horsepower and torque – a practical example

The difference between the power in hp and the torque in Nm often becomes apparent in practice. For example, a tractor for agriculture may have a rather low effective power in comparison. However, the engine can generate enormous power from the few hp, as it has been designed for high torque. Thus, the tractor can already pull a heavy trailer from a standing start.

The relationship between horsepower and Nm can be completely different for a sports car, because other factors apply here. This type of vehicle is designed for maximum performance on the road and to reach high speeds. While the sports car can go particularly fast with its horsepower in the triple-digit range, there is no such high torque available, especially when starting off.

How much horsepower and torque – Effects on maintenance and repair

Properties such as power and torque can sometimes become interesting factors in the maintenance and repair of vehicles. This is because the highly developed engines installed in modern cars should also generate high torque at as many revolutions per minute as possible.

Such engines often have a turbocharger and a smaller displacement than an engine without a turbo. This in turn has an influence on the engine design. For this reason, the maintenance of such an engine can also be more complicated.

What impact do these circumstances have on the purchase of spare parts

What power and torque a vehicle has can even make a difference when buying spare parts. This is due, among other things, to the design of today’s engines. Among other characteristics, these should show as balanced a torque as possible over a wide speed range and also at low speeds.

The engines with turbochargers that are frequently used for this purpose are more complex in terms of their design. For example, turbocharged engines have many additional parts, of which the turbocharger is only one. Therefore, more and different spare parts are needed if an engine is defective.

There are also differences in high-horsepower cars with a lot of power and, in comparison, vehicles with a lot of torque. Components that are subjected to high torque, such as a shaft, can break down more quickly than others due to the load.

Cars with a lot of horsepower, on the other hand, are often driven much more sportily than normal everyday vehicles with significantly less power. This can result in higher wear and tear on certain components. In addition, the parts for vehicles with high power are sometimes more expensive.

Top guides

• Injection system in the car explained simply - parts and function of the injection...
• Maintenance and repair of electric cars: what can your normal garage do?
• Increasing performance with chip tuning: benefits, risks and tips
• Guide: Computer systems and software in your car
• Which electric car parts need repair or replacement most often?
• What is a solid-state battery for electric cars?
• All about engine sensors: from combustion engines to electric cars
• Increase the range of an electric car: How every electric car gets further
• Electric car battery life: How to extend the life of the battery
• What is the compression of a car engine?
• This is the cubic capacity of a car engine
• Internal combustion engine valves: function, defects and repair
• Core components of the internal combustion engine - parts and functions
• Engine lubrication in cars: components, function and defects
• The environmental impact of manufacturing new car parts
• All about pollutant classes and their role in environmental protection
• Engine overhaul: What is an engine overhaul and how much does it cost?
• OEM car parts manufacturing: the key components of the sector
• Understanding engine power - insight into the technology of the car engine
• The steering system of the car - structure and operation
• The car's braking system - structure, parts and function
• Engine types in the car: V-engine, in-line engine and boxer engine explained
• 8 tips before buying a used electric car
• Distinguish OEM parts, aftermarket and counterfeit car parts
• The EPC indicator light is on or flashing: What to do?
• Master brake cylinder: function, defect detection and repair
• OEM car parts for hybrid and electric cars
• Used youngtimer and classic car parts - the best tips
• Cruise control: Function and repair of the cruise control system in the car
• Exhaust system: Everything you need to know about parts and function of the exhaus...
• Locking system: security and reliable locking on the car
• The engine's air intake system - parts, function and replacement
• Brake caliper defective? How to replace it yourself
• Fuel system: parts of the fuel supply from the tank to the cylinder
• Air conditioning system: function and components of your car air conditioning syst...
• The clutch: structure and function explained simply
• Detecting and replacing a defective fuel pump
• Surprised? So many pumps work in your car
• The most common causes of a defective electric car
• The 6 most important safety components of your car
• Identify and repair a defective starter in a flash
• 5 common chassis problems and how to fix them
• 10 unknown car parts that many drivers do not know about
• Engine cooling: function and important components of the cooling system
• Differences between petrol and diesel engines
• All-wheel drive: How the mechanics and components of all-wheel drive work
• Engine control unit car: Everything about components and functioning
• Defective engine control unit: causes, symptoms and repair
• HP vs. torque: What is the difference between power and torque?
• EV motors basics: How are they built, how they work and differ from combustion eng...
• The chassis: overview and function of all suspension components
• Used electric car parts: What to look out for
• The importance of the chassis number when buying used car parts
• ABS pump defective? Function, repair and replacement
• Injection nozzle defective? Diagnosis, cleaning and changing the injection nozzles
• Alternator defective? What symptoms occur and when to change the component
• Water pump defective? Symptoms and how to repair or change it
• Steering gear defective? What are the symptoms and when should the component be re...
• Lambda sensor defective? What are the symptoms and can I clean the sensor?
• Defective air conditioning compressor - what are the symptoms and when should the ...
• Intake manifold defective? Replace gasket or clean manifold?
• Exhaust manifold leaking? Symptoms of a defective exhaust manifold or gasket and w...
• Turbocharger defective? Repair or change?
• Servo pump defective? What symptoms occur and when you should change the part
• Clutch broken? - These symptoms indicate a defect in the clutch
• Common problems and repair of defective drive shafts
• Causes of engine noise and what to do about it?
• What can car diagnostic devices do and do I need an OBD scanner?
• When and how to replace brake discs and brake pads
• Brake warning lamp lights up - causes and what to do?
• EGR valve defective: Avoid engine problems and clean EGR valve
• Improve fuel consumption: How your car uses less fuel
• Squeaking brakes: Why brakes squeak and how to get rid of it
• Safely jacking up a car: How to jack up a car using a jack and jack stands
• How a defect in the muffler becomes noticeable and how it is replaced
• E-car motor: These electric car parts you can replace yourself
• Engine overheated: What you should do if the engine overheats
• Engine check lamp lights up: What you should do as a motorist
• The engine code: What does the code mean and where can I find it on the car?
• Tools for car repair: These 10 tools you should own
• Car repair mistakes: These are the 7 most common car repair mistakes
• The gearbox code: What does the code mean and where can it be found on the gearbox...
• Used parts: How to check the quality of used car parts
• Vehicle transmission: What is the difference between manual and automatic transmis...
• Mileage: This is how mileage affects used spare parts
• Car recycling: What happens to the car when it is recycled? 
• OEM original parts or aftermarket: these are the differences 
• Advantages and disadvantages of new and used car parts
• Starting problems? Top 9 reasons why your car does not start
• What’s that smell from my car? Top causes and cures
• Advantages of shopping scrap car parts online vs. going to the local breaker yards...
• 10 most frequently purchased car parts from car breakers/junkyard
• Important car parts and their function
• Common car engine problems: Diagnosing, Troubleshooting and Fixes
• Best tips for setting up your own home car workshop
• 7 Car parts replacements and repair tasks you should not do yourself
• DIY Car Maintenance and Repair Tasks
• Guide: How to Maintain and Protect Your Car Engine
• Best practices for Engine Rebuild
• Common Causes of Rear Differential Noise, troubleshooting, and how fix it
• Common Causes of power steering noise and how fix it
• Your Guide to Car Engine Components and Functions
• Licence plate and VIN information
• Top 10 of the most popular brands in second-hand autoparts
• France is just so cool