some of these replies are funny. i understand that torque and HP are like apples and oranges. they are nothing alike. one is a mathematical formula and one is a type of force that is applied.

torque is the amount of rotational force that an object can develop.

horsepower is a function of torque over time and distance. the actual formula for horsepower is 33,000lb-ft/1 minute this is a formula that James Watt derived. FYI, 1HP = 745.699 watts.

hp is the amount of energy created and quantified in different units. torque is a type of work that is performed. energy is required to do work. work creates energy. to figure out how much energy is created by doing work, you divide the work by time. this gives you how many units of energy are created when performing work over time.

thats what horsepower and torque ARE... what they DO and what they FEEL like and how you RELATE to them is geographically, culturally and demographically unique. just look at a 20 year olds explanation and the 40 year old's explanation.

"Horsepower sells cars, Torque wins races!"