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      08-22-2010, 02:50 PM   #78
richard in NC
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Drives: 2009 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC

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HP versus Torque has been a hotly debated topic on most boards I've ever been on. Bottom line is you need both but more important is the whole torque and HP curve.

One way to look at it is torque is what gives you acceleration but HP is the enabler of that torque. In any given gear, the acceleration rate (G's) matches the torque curve, of course except for traction limitations at lower geers/speeds and aerodynamic drag issues at higher speeds. To see this (in any car) in 2nd gear at 1500 RPMs, accelerate all the way to redline. In the Z4 35i, you'll get a constant equal push all the way to 5500 RPMs and it trails off after that.

However, a car with more high RPM HP will out accelerate a car with lesser HP, as long as gearing allows it to stay at those high RPMs. But note, at those RPMs, the torque is higher as well than the torque of the lesser HP car.
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2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s
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Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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