Should You Look at Horsepower or Torque for Hill Climbing?

[DeEmerson]

The hill-climbing capability of a car mainly depends on torque and the RPM at which peak torque is achieved. The lower the RPM at which peak torque is reached and the higher the torque value, the better the hill-climbing performance and the greater the initial acceleration G-value. A car's hill-climbing ability is evaluated by its maximum climbable gradient, which refers to the steepest slope it can overcome in first gear on a good road surface when fully loaded. The maximum climbable gradient represents the vehicle's hill-climbing capacity and is one of the indicators used to evaluate a car's dynamic performance. Below are the factors that influence the maximum climbable gradient: 1. Torque: Torque ensures the engine doesn't stall during climbing and is related to engine power and load conditions (empty or fully loaded). 2. Friction: Friction prevents slipping while ascending the slope.