We toss the words "horsepower" and "torque" around pretty often in the automotive industry, but perhaps the meaning of both gets lost along the way. Never fear, Engineering Explained is here.

Engine Horsepower or torque: Which is better? It's a never-ending debate among those who build engines for a living. Take, for example, the following statements, all from recognized engine gurus: ...

torque is a force. horsepower is the rate at which the engine does work. Really, all the engine's peak torque, and the RPM at which it produces it tells you is the general operating characteristics of ...

Anytime force—either a push or a pull-is applied to an object and an opposite reaction takes place, work happens. For example, when meathead's El Camino breaks down and he pushes it home, work occurs.

Horsepower and torque are the primary measurements of a drivetrain's power. Horsepower, for whatever reason, gets the notoriety and establishes the bragging rights. Yes, more horses mean more power, ...