Is torque or horsepower more important for acceleration?

Torque multiplied by rpm returns horsepower. Basically, the faster the crankshaft spins with the same amount of force, the more power an engine will make. A car with more hp than torque will always be quicker since this gives a car acceleration and speed.
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Is torque better for acceleration?

So the more torque your car has, the greater the acceleration. Torque is a crucial part of generating power from a car's engine, as it represents the load an engine can handle to generate a certain amount of power to rotate the engine on its axis.
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Does horsepower or torque affect acceleration?

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for: Horsepower and torque affect acceleration because, well, they make the car accelerate. In terms of acceleration, torque plays a bigger role in how quickly your car accelerates. That's because the torque is a result of the force the pistons generate and at what speed.
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Is torque better than horsepower?

Horsepower is a good indicator of overall power but the torque can tell you a little bit more about what the car is capable of. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that the higher number doesn't always mean more towing capacity, acceleration, or speed. The weight of the vehicle plays a huge part in its abilities.
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Does more horsepower mean faster acceleration?

Generally speaking, the more horsepower a car produces, the better its acceleration, which is a strong factor in its overall performance.
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Engine power, torque and achieving maximum acceleration | Auto Expert John Cadogan



Is higher torque at lower rpm better?

“Higher torque at lower r.p.m. means you have a lot more horsepower at lower r.p.m., which makes it easier to tow things from a standstill. That's usually how trucks are geared,” Murray said. “High torque at higher r.p.m. means more power while you're already underway, which usually results in higher top speed.
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How can I increase my car's acceleration?

Faster acceleration is a lot more than adding power though, so it's time to read and learn with this handy guide.
  1. More power. ...
  2. Gear/differential ratios. ...
  3. Performance tyres. ...
  4. Upgrade your clutch. ...
  5. Get a limited-slip differential. ...
  6. Weight distribution. ...
  7. Upgrade your suspension. ...
  8. Reduce weight.
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Is 150 hp good for a car?

Right between 200 and 300 is a good amount of horsepower for a car. Many base models from some brands offer between 100 and 200 horsepower, suitable for drivers who do not mind a more relaxed driving experience in exchange for a better economy.
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Is torque good for going uphill?

Yes. Hill climbing ability is directly and only related to torque. The speed you will go up is a mixture of volts and amps. But climbing really only comes down to amps which means torque.
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Can a car with less horsepower be faster?

In physics, power is defined as the rate at which something does work. For cars, horsepower translates into speed. So if you want to go faster, and get up to speed quicker, you need more horsepower.
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What is a good amount of torque for a car?

Engines in mainstream cars and trucks typically generate 100 to 400 lb. -ft of torque. That torque is created by the pistons within an engine as they reciprocate up and down on the engine's crankshaft, causing it to rotate (or twist), continuously.
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What is the difference between high torque and low torque?

As previously mentioned, torque tells you how an engine feels when you accelerate. Cars with high torque engines tend to accelerate slower off the mark but quicker from low revs in a high gear. Conversely, cars with low torque engines tend to accelerate quicker off the mark but slower from low revs in a high gear.
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Does torque win races?

In the words of Carroll Shelby “Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.” And that's accurate, to an extent, but horsepower and torque do work together.
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What role does torque play in acceleration?

Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Just as force is what causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics, torque is what causes an object to acquire angular acceleration.
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How does torque relate to horsepower?

Torque expresses the turning ability of the engine (the ability to turn its flywheel) and horsepower means the total power output of the engine. In very simple terms, torque is the force you feel pushing you back in your seat on acceleration, while horsepower is the speed achieved at the end of that acceleration.
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Is torque or horsepower more important for towing?

To sum up, torque plays a greater role in towing than horsepower. This is because of the 'low-end rpm' generated by the higher levels of torque, which allows the engine to easily carry heavy loads. A high torque vehicle will be able to tow trailers or other objects with an extremely low value of rpm.
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What happens to torque when you increase speed?

Since the rated output power of a motor is a fixed value, speed and torque are inversely related. As output speed increases, the available output torque decreases proportionately.
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How much horsepower do you need to drive a mountain?

Generally speaking, you can expect a car to lose around three horsepower for every 1,000 feet you climb. That means that your car could lose around 20 percent of its horsepower if you were to drive from sea level and up a mountain like Big Bear, which has an elevation of 6,750 feet.
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Does higher rpm mean faster?

RPM stands for "revolutions per minute." It's a measure of how fast the engine is spinning. In general, the faster an engine spins, the more power it makes. For any gear given, more RPMs, the faster the car goes.
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Is 300 hp a lot for a car?

Right between 200 and 300 horsepower is the sweet spot for many drivers. Be cautious with models that approach 300 horsepower, unless the vehicle is a heavy truck or another large model.
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Is 700 horsepower a lot?

Before it was a rarity and luxury to buy a car that was 200-500 horsepower, now it's getting pretty common. In fact, 700 horsepower is the new 500 horsepower, and every performance car worth its weight in carbon-fiber diffusers is packing either a now-standard supercharger or a turbo.
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What causes poor acceleration in a car?

What Causes Acceleration Problems? Hiccups in air and fuel delivery and sensor issues are the main causes of poor acceleration. However, mechanical issues can also be the cause of low power.
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Why is my car taking forever to accelerate?

If your vehicle's fuel filter is dirty or clogged, this will prevent your engine from getting enough fuel. This can cause your vehicle to experience problems while trying to accelerate. A dirty air filter can also be the culprit. A dirty air filter cannot give the right air-fuel mixture resulting in slow acceleration.
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Why does my car have slow acceleration?

Sluggish acceleration could result from a failing fuel pump, or it could be a malfunctioning sensor. If you suspect either of these, it would be wise to take your car to a professional. They can look at your vehicle using specialized equipment.
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