Every auto enthusiast is familiar with the term horsepower. But then what is horsepower? And what does a unit of power associated with horses have to do with cars? Horsepower is the standard unit of power for cars, around the globe. At present, every auto manufacturer publishes power figures in horsepower. So then, how did this unit of power become omnipotent in the automotive segment? Keep reading to find out. Origins Of Horsepower One horsepower is equal to the power of a horse. Or is it? Well, it is true, but it isn't as simple as it sounds. Scottish engineer James Watt coined the term horsepower, in the late 18th century. He did the same to compare the power output of steam engines of the time to the power of horses. He wanted to see how the new technology compared to workhorses. However, the idea of horsepower is much older than that. It even predates the first commercially successful steam engine. Thomas Savery introduced the idea in 1702. He was the inventor of the first commercially used steam-powered device. His findings were as follows. The engine is capable of raising as much water as two horses working together at the same time. But, ten or twelve horses must always be ready to work for a continuous work process. He stated that a large enough steam engine would be able to do the work of up to 20 horses. Later on, James Watt used this idea to market his improved steam engine. Watt defined horsepower in the context of a horse working to draw water from a well. One horsepower is equal to the energy spent by one horse in raising 33,000 lbs of water. The water is drawn from the bottom of a 1,000-foot deep well and raised 1 foot in the air, in a time of 60 seconds. This context is rather confusing. However, it helped Watt to convey the power output of his steam engine to potential customers. Understanding Horsepower In Cars How does horsepower affect the performance of a car? This question is quite simple to answer. The more horsepower a car has, the faster it can run in a straight line. But it isn't that easy, as many factors, especially the car's weight, come into play. Other prominent factors include aerodynamics and grip levels. This is exactly why a sports car is faster than an SUV with the same horsepower output. Horsepower Vs TorqueSo then what is torque, and how does it differ from horsepower? Both are what a live engine produces when stepped on the accelerator. But they differ from each other. Let's put it into a simpler context. Torque is the engine's capability to do work. The more torque it produces, the more work it can get done. In the case of an automobile, the work is to bear the load and move forward. Horsepower on the other hand defines the pace at which the work is done. The more horsepower produced, the faster the car moves. Impact Of Horsepower: Car Buying Advice Why should someone consider horsepower output when buying a car? Because it is the prime factor in deciding the performance of your vehicle. As mentioned earlier, the more horsepower you have, the faster you can drive your car. Torque is also a paramount factor. The more torque you have, the more people or luggage your vehicle can easily carry. Hence, keep in mind to buy a car that suits your needs and purpose. You don't need too much power for a city car. But, if you travel a lot on the highways, you'll need a more powerful vehicle. The same applies to torque. If you plan on taking the whole family with you or towing a trailer, make sure the vehicle is torquey. Source: Carwow, Car And Driver, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari
