When choosing a new car, most drivers instinctively focus on horsepower (hp), assuming it to be the only indicator of power. But the real hero of everyday driving and real-world performance is torque - the "pulling force" that determines how confidently a car starts, how sharply it accelerates, and how easily it overcomes obstacles. Simply put, torque is the workhorse, while horsepower is the speed at the finish line.
What is torque?
Torque (measured in Newton meters) is the amount of turning force that an engine can generate and transmit to the wheels. Imagine tightening a bolt with a wrench: the force you apply to turn it is analogous to the engine's torque. The higher this indicator, the more powerfully the engine pulls the car forward.
Acceleration and responsiveness: High torque allows the car to quickly gain speed even from a standstill and to overtake confidently without having to change gears too often.“Traction“ and Towing Ability: This indicator is critical to the vehicle's ability to handle heavy loads, tow a trailer or overcome poor road conditions (steep hills, mud, sand).
For city driving and everyday comfort, where sharp acceleration from low speeds is often required, torque is undoubtedly more important. It provides elasticity to the engine, which means that the car pulls well even at low revs. Experts advise looking for engines with a broad torque plateau that starts as early as 1,500 rpm, rather than just a high peak value at high revs.
What does this “pulling force“ depend on?
The amount of torque depends on several fundamental factors in the engine design:
Cylinder Displacement: A larger volume means that more fuel and air enter each cylinder. This results in more intense combustion and more momentum transmitted to the crankshaft.
Turbocharger: Engines with a turbocharger or supercharger achieve significantly more torque, as the turbine compresses air under pressure, allowing for more efficient combustion of the fuel mixture.
Piston Stroke: The longer the piston stroke, the longer the force of gas pressure acts on the crankshaft, which directly increases the transmission of power to the crankshaft.
Combustion Efficiency: Optimal mixing and timely ignition of the fuel-air mixture are key to achieving maximum energy yield in each operating cycle.
Power vs. torque: The dilemma
There is no universal answer as to which is more important, as priorities change according to operating conditions: Power determines the speed at which work can be done, and torque determines the force applied to do the work.
For city driving and everyday comfort, where sharp acceleration from low speeds is often required, torque is undoubtedly more important. It provides elasticity to the engine, which means that the car pulls well even at low revs. Experts advise looking for engines with a wide torque plateau, starting as early as 1,500 rpm, rather than just a high peak value at high revs.
Which engines are the kings of torque?
Electric motors: Generate maximum torque instantly – right from the start, giving electric vehicles an incredible starting impulse.
Diesel engines: Thanks to their high compression ratio, they traditionally have the highest torque in the low rev range.
Turbocharged engines: Turbines significantly increase power, generating powerful torque from relatively low revs.