Glossary
kW and hp (power)
Engine or motor power. 1 kW ≈ 1.34 hp. More power means more performance at speed, but weight and gearing matter too.
Power is how much work an engine or electric motor can do per second. Car makers in Europe quote kW (kilowatts); many others quote hp or PS. 1 kW ≈ 1.341 hp ≈ 1.36 PS.
Power decides performance at higher speeds; torque decides how strongly the vehicle pulls from low speed. Compare 0–100 km/h times for a real-world idea of quickness.
Also called: kilowatt, horsepower, bhp