Bryant Motors

Ride with the people you trust!
Serving Sedalia, Boonville, Clinton, Jefferson City, Marshall, Warrensburg and Central Missouri
(800) 886-2701
2901 South Limit Ave. Sedalia, MO 65301
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Basics of Horsepower and Torque – What You Need to Know

Not many people understand what horsepower and torque really mean, let alone how it affects the performance of the vehicle. Nevertheless, almost every ad for a heavy-duty truck will mention those specs at some point. If you’ve never noticed, try listening for it next time you see one.

The power produced by an engine is called its horsepower. In physics, power is defined as the rate at which something does work. For cars, horsepower translates into speed. So if you want to go faster, and get up to speed quicker, you need more horsepower.

Torque, on the other hand, is the expression of a rotational or twisting force. In vehicles, the engines rotate around an axis, thus creating torque. Torque can be viewed as the “strength” of a vehicle. It is the force that rockets a sports car from 0-60 in seconds and pushes you back in the seat. It is also what powers big trucks hauling heavy loads into motion.

These are the basics of horsepower and torque, but how are these concepts measured and how are they interrelated?

Behind the Numbers

Mathematically speaking, horsepower is the force needed to move 550 pounds one foot in a second, or 33,000 pounds one foot in a minute. Engine horsepower is measured using a dynamometer, but what the dynamometer really does is measure the torque output of the engine, as well as the RPM – or “revolutions per minute”. These numbers are plugged into a formula (torque x RPM / 5,252) to determine the horsepower. Horsepower is found by measuring torque because torque is easier to calculate.

Torque, as previously mentioned, is the expression of a twisting force and is measured in units of force times distance from the axis of rotation. So for instance, if you use a 1-foot-long wrench to exert a force of 10 pounds on the end of a bolt, then you are applying a torque of 10 pound-feet (10 lb-ft).

2021 Ram 1500: MotorTrend Truck of the Year

2021 Ram 1500:
MotorTrend Truck of the Year

For the third year in a row, a RAM truck has won the award for MotorTrend Truck of the Year, letting the world know—as well as its competition—that they know a thing or 2 when it comes to game-changing performance from a truck.

Find out more


Relationship Between Horsepower and Torque

Both horsepower and torque affect a car’s overall speed, so you can see why people mix the two up. However, in the real world of driving and hauling, their differences—along with vehicle’s design—have a significant impact.

For instance, the greater the horsepower an engine produces, the higher the torque potential. The way this “potential” torque translates into real-world applications is through the vehicle’s axel differentials and transmission. This explains why a race car and a tractor that have the same amount of horsepower can vary so drastically. In a race car, all the torque is used for speed through the gearing, whereas the tractor converts the horsepower into pushing and pulling extremely heavy weights.

Another way to understand horsepower vs. torque is twisting off the cap on a new pickle jar. When you are using all your strength to open the jar, you are applying torque—regardless of whether or not the cap comes off. Horsepower, however, only exists with movement. So you need torque to loosen the lid first, and then you can apply horsepower with your hand by spinning the lid of quickly.

Relationship Between Horsepower and Torque

So which is best to have more of in your vehicle—horsepower or torque? It all depends on how you intend to use your car or truck. A lightning fast Dodge Charger for example will have more horsepower, while a Cummins Diesel truck will have more torque to help pull those heavy loads.

Here at Bryant Motors, we have a huge selection of both new and used vehicles on location to cover all different preferences and needs—from the speedy, sleek 2014 Dodge Dart GT to the reinvented Ram 1500, which is also available in the cutting edge, turbo-charged EcoDiesel.

Search our extensive inventory of new and used vehicles to find the car or truck you’ve been looking for today at the most affordable price around. Or, continue browsing our blog and car buying guide resources for more information.

Looking for a pickup with powerful towing capability?

See our list of affordable trucks and SUVs

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Bryant Motors
2901 South Limit Ave
Sedalia MO 65301
(800) 886-2701
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Full Service Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep Dealership
Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg and Whiteman AFB, Missouri

If you're in the market for a new or used vehicle, we invite you to browse our online showroom or come on down to our dealership and check out our inventory. Bryant Motors has been the premier go-to place for central Missouri's transportation needs for nearly 80 years.

Once you step on the lot or in the showroom, our personable and caring team of auto specialists will show you why we've remained Sedalia's leader for new & used trucks, SUVs, cars and more.

Check Out Our Vehicle Inventory including:

New Cars: Come test drive our Chrysler 200, 300 and Dodge Avenger. The revitalized Dodge Dart provides economical transportation with the handling you'd expect from a sports car. For modern day classics, we recommend Dodge Charger and Challenger. And if you're really in need to speed, the Dodge SRT Viper is in a class all to itself.

New Trucks: Find the best selection of both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive trucks in central Missouri at Bryant Motors. For best-in-class towing & fuel economy, test drive Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for both 2013 and 2014, Dodge's Ram 1500. For a more heavy-duty truck, we recommend Ram 2500 and 3500 models.

New Minivans: Looking to buy a family car? Check out Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. These popular family vans set the standard for minivans.

New SUVs: When it comes to Jeeps, we have the best selection of all Jeep models including Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Patriot and Compass. Dodge SUVs are one of our best sellers. The Dodge Durango provides both power and room, while Dodge's new crossover, the Journey, seats 7 and is the most affordable crossover-SUV on the market today.

Used Cars & Trucks: looking for a good used vehicle? Bryant Motors' pre-owned department carefully screens each used vehicle to ensure you're getting the dependability you need. Choose from a wide array of makes and models, including many one-owner cars, trucks and SUVs.

Find the latest Dodge Ram, Jeep Wrangler and other exciting models, or browse our extensive inventory of quality new and used automobiles

Our Sedalia-based auto dealership serves the new and used car needs of surrounding communities, including Warrensburg and Jefferson City.

Find top-quality Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, including the Ram 1500, Wrangler/Grand Cherokee and other models designed for getting the job done or getting through some of the serious farm and rural country Missouri is known for.

Bryant Motors is centrally located to residents of Sedalia and surrounding areas, as well as vacationers heading to Lake of the Ozarks or Osage Beach.

When you visit our showroom at 2901 S. Limit in Sedalia, you will not only find exciting new Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models. You'll also find the most knowledgeable and friendly sales staff out in all of central Missouri.

Come visit our dealership near: Warrensburg , Whiteman AFB , Jefferson City, Marshall, Clinton, Boonville

Bryant Motors Auto Service & Repair Serving Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB and Jefferson City

Where you purchased your new Dodge Ram, Grand Caravan or used car is irrelevant - Bryant Motors' service department is here to help with all your automotive maintenance and repair needs.

We offer auto repair and maintenance on all models, regardless of where they were manufactured or purchased.

Whether you need a basic oil change , brake services , auto A/C repair , transmission repair or a total engine overhaul, experienced, factory-trained technicians will get you back on the road as fast as possible.


Find Popular New & Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs:

Chrysler: Chrysler 200 Touring, Chrysler 200 Limited, Town & Country, Chrysler 300

Dodge: Dodge Journey

Ram Trucks: Ram 1500 Ram 2500

Jeep: Patriot Latitude, Compass Latitude, Grand Cherokee (Limited, Overland, Summit), Wrangler

Bryant Motors
Central Missouri Best Car Dealership
Serving Customers in Sedalia, Warrensburg, Whiteman Air Force Base, Jefferson City & Surrounding Areas including Marshall, Boonville, and Clinton, MO