How to Convert Between Power and Horsepower in Cars?
2 Answers
Metric system: 1 horsepower = 735 watts = 0.735 kilowatts, 1 kilowatt = 1.36 horsepower; Imperial system: 1 horsepower = 746 watts = 0.746 kilowatts, 1 kilowatt = 1.34 horsepower. Below is relevant information about power and horsepower: 1. Introduction to Car Power: Car power refers to the work done by a car per unit time, and power is the work done by an object per unit time. Greater power results in greater torque, and the pulling force of the car is also higher. Maximum power is commonly used to describe a car's dynamic performance. Maximum power is usually expressed in horsepower (PS) or kilowatts (kW), with 1 horsepower equal to 0.735 kilowatts. Power is a physical quantity that indicates how fast work is done. In physics, power P = work W / time t, and the unit is watt (W). 2. Introduction to Horsepower: Horsepower is a commonly used unit for measuring power in engineering technology, proposed by James Watt. 1 horsepower is approximately equal to 735 watts. It generally refers to metric horsepower rather than imperial horsepower. 1 horsepower equals the work of completing 75 kilogram-force meters per second, also equal to 0.735 kilowatts, or metric horsepower. 1 imperial horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second, equal to 76 kilogram-force meters per second, or 0.746 kilowatts. In China's legal measurement units, the unit of power is the watt.
I often help my friends check specifications. The conversion between car power (kilowatts kW) and horsepower (metric horsepower PS) is actually simple: just remember 1 kW ≈ 1.36 PS. For example, if a car is rated at 150 kW, simply multiply by 1.36 to get roughly 204 PS. Metric horsepower is more commonly used in Japanese or German car promotions, but imperial horsepower (hp) is different, with 1 hp ≈ 0.7457 kW, so pay attention to the units to avoid confusion. When I repair cars, I see people asking this question because manufacturers often list data in kW, while ordinary people prefer talking about horsepower. Understanding the conversion allows for better performance comparisons. Some imported car spec sheets may list both units—double-checking can prevent misjudgments. Higher horsepower numbers look impressive, but power levels actually affect acceleration and fuel consumption. Calculating it often gives you a clearer picture.
