What is the Difference Between Wheel Horsepower and Engine Horsepower?
1 Answers
It depends on the specific model. The most direct data to measure a car's power is horsepower, which can be divided into wheel horsepower and engine horsepower. Engine horsepower is easy to understand—it refers to the maximum power output of the engine, while wheel horsepower refers to the power that the engine delivers to the wheels. Wheel horsepower is a more accurate representation of a car's actual power performance. Horsepower Difference: For example, a Buick LaCrosse with 250 horsepower might lose to a BMW with 180 horsepower, which is due to the difference in wheel horsepower. The main factor affecting wheel horsepower is the transmission. While the engine provides the power, the transmission is the medium that transfers this power to the wheels. Impact of Vehicle Weight on Speed: In addition, vehicle weight is also a crucial factor affecting a car's speed. Comparing the acceleration performance of a car involves multiple influencing factors—it's not just about having higher engine horsepower to guarantee faster speed.