Does Greater Torque Mean More Power?
2 Answers
Torque and power are both key indicators of a car's engine performance. Generally, a vehicle with higher torque delivers better power. Definition of torque: Torque is the rotational force generated by the engine's crankshaft. It represents the work done during one complete piston cycle in the cylinder. Under constant power conditions, torque is inversely proportional to engine speed - higher RPM results in lower torque, and vice versa. This reflects a vehicle's load-carrying capacity within a specific range. Function of torque: Greater engine torque translates to more force being applied to the wheels through the transmission and driveshaft. Vehicles with higher torque exhibit better acceleration from standstill, meaning they can start moving more quickly.
Torque and power are two different things. Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've seen many owners mistakenly believe that higher torque numbers mean a fiercer car. In reality, torque is like the force of a wrench turning a bolt, while power measures how much work can be done per unit of time. For example, a truck might have terrifyingly high torque and can reach 140km/h, but it still can't outrun a sports car with only half its torque. The key lies in the power curve—no matter how high the torque is, if it can't maintain high RPMs for long, acceleration will still feel sluggish. Some in the tuning community even specifically flash programs to reduce torque in exchange for higher RPM capability, which actually makes the car more agile when tackling consecutive mountain curves.
