What is Horsepower and Torque?

by Paul Crowe on 4/21/2013

in Engines

Since this discussion happens so often, as it has, again, on the previous post, it's about time we explain horsepower and torque and how they relate. There are a lot of misconceptions, but there doesn't have to be because both are straightforward terms used everyday when motor vehicles (and a lot of other things) are discussed.

Please read this entire article carefully before commenting. You'll see where that 5252 number comes from and you'll see why you can't talk about horsepower and disregard torque anymore than you can discuss an omelet and ignore the eggs.

You gotta start somewhere, this is a good place.

Every motorhead wants more horsepower, but what exactly IS horsepower? What does it measure? Horsepower is an arbitrary unit created from a common reference point that everyone can understand. In today's world of advanced scientific instruments, horsepower hangs on, even though it is a little imprecise. Those keepers of the units and standards that quantify everything with precision would rather toss out this well known measure and substitute kilowatts. That Corvette has 298.28 kilowatts, hmm... 400hp just sounds better.

Where did horsepower come from?

James Watt, who did quite a bit of work on steam engines back in the 1700's, needed a way to measure their output. Watt used a common reference, the horse, as the basis for his calculations (like the inch was based on the width of a man's thumb). The exact process he followed to find out what a horse could do is open to speculation, everyone seems to have their own favorite story, but the end result was: 1 horsepower = 550 foot-pounds per second, which means, in Watt's calculations, a horse can lift 550 pounds one foot in one second.
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Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles, 612 foot pounds of torque, 0-60 in 4 seconds

Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles, 612 foot pounds of torque, 0-60 in 4 seconds

When I first saw the Torq Roadster, it brought flashbacks of the patent drawings of the Slingshot we wrote about a couple of months ago and since Polaris does have an electric vehicle division, well, the connection seemed logical, but it's not the case. The Torq Roadster comes from Epic Electric Vehicles, the same folks who built an electric wake boat and an electric ATV. They just decided to build something for the road.

Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles, 612 foot pounds of torque, 0-60 in 4 seconds

Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles

Specs:

  • 0-60 - 4 seconds
  • 1.3 lateral G
  • 612 foot pounds of torque
  • 300+ horsepower DC electric motor
  • range - 100 miles

It's front wheel drive so who needs two rear wheels? The carbon fiber body over a steel chassis keeps it light, 2200 pounds, and you can get it in multiple levels of trim and power train performance. It's very tunable, you can upgrade the suspension, rewind the armature, upgrade the brushes, modify the controller, add batteries, that sort of thing so you're looking at the hot rodding of the future if you're into electric vehicles. They use a lot of VW components for suspension and steering to make it easy to source parts from anywhere since they do plan to sell it worldwide.

Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles,

Torq Roadster from Epic Electric Vehicles,

Unlike the Elio 3 wheeler, this one isn't cheap, batteries, electric motors and controllers, not to mention carbon fiber, make this a high end, high tech ride. It's not surprising a former Tesla exec bought the first production model. I didn't see pricing anywhere but they need a $10,000 deposit to reserve a 2013 model.

It doesn't look bad and is probably a lot of fun to drive. Check it out and see what you think.

Thanks for the tip, Steve.

Link: Torq EV

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Elio Motors 3 wheeler to be built in a former GM plant

Elio Motors 3 wheeler to be built in a former GM plant

When someone announces a new motorcycle or car, coming soon with great specs and amazing price, you just have to be a bit cautious, so this new 3 wheeler from Elio Motors, may be a huge success, it may never be produced or it may fall somewhere in between.

Elio Motors 3 wheeler to be built in a former GM plant

Elio Motors 3 wheeler to be built in a former GM plant

The quick story:

  • 3 wheels
  • tandem seats
  • 84 mpg highway / 49 mpg city
  • 8 gallon tank
  • inline, 3 cylinder, 1 liter, 70 HP, fuel-injected, SOHC gas-powered, liquid-cooled, automotive engine.
  • 5-speed manual or automatic with reverse
  • 3-wheel disc brakes with ABS
  • front engine front wheel drive
  • $6800

Three wheels means it's a motorcycle for registration purposes, but the CEO says it will meet automotive crash standards.

They are setting up shop in a former GM plant in Shreveport, Louisiana and will employ 1500 workers and it will be manufactured in the USA with American made parts.

Add it all up and my "I'll believe it when I see it" radar is on high alert, but you never know. A lot of former auto execs are on the board so maybe it will take off when it is introduced in the spring of 2014.

Head on over and see for yourself.

Link: Elio Motors

Elio Motors 3 wheeler

Elio Motors 3 wheeler

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