Torque versus hp

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vtecintegra, Jul 14, 11:30am
On a small petrol engine you do need the turbo to help with low end torque. VW even adds superchargers into the mix too, resulting in some very impressive little engines.

It's true on a diesel too, but you won't find many small non-turbo diesels hereso its kind of irrelevant.

mrfxit, Jul 14, 11:32am
Depends on the race.
Hp for flat roads & torque for long twisty hills

Classic comparison (all other things being equal) Eg:
Petrol 2ltr pulling 1 ton
Diesel 2.4T pulling 1 ton

Petrol will struggle a bit starting off & struggle climbing hills but will be fine on the flat
Diesel will walk away starting off & be slower but happy on the hills & happy on the flat.

Petrol + no load will perform a lot better all round, with no cargo load
Diesel will perform about the same, cargo load or not