Horsepower vs. Torque: What’s the Difference?

​Understanding the Forces Behind Exotic Performance

When you're shopping for an exotic or high-performance vehicle, two specs always take center stage: horsepower and torque. These aren't just numbers—they shape how your car drives, accelerates, and delivers excitement.
 

At Boardwalk Auto Group, we specialize in luxury and exotic vehicles where power is more than a spec—it's an experience. Whether you’re interested in a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, or Porsche, understanding how horsepower and torque work will help you choose the right model and appreciate its engineering even more.

What Is Horsepower?

Horsepower is a measure of how quickly an engine can perform work over time. In performance vehicles, it reflects how much sustained power your car can produce.

• Higher horsepower means faster top speeds and strong performance at higher RPMs
• It determines how quickly and confidently a car can maintain speed
• Think of horsepower as the engine’s long-distance endurance

In other words, horsepower is what keeps the car charging forward at high speed.

What Is Torque?

Torque measures rotational force—how much strength your engine uses to turn the wheels, particularly at low RPMs.

• Higher torque means stronger launches and quicker acceleration from a standstill
• It’s responsible for the immediate surge of power when you hit the gas
• Torque is the engine’s low-end muscle

Torque is the sensation that throws you back into your seat when you take off.

Horsepower and Torque: A Perfect Partnership

Horsepower and torque aren’t competing forces—they work together to deliver performance. Torque gets the car moving; horsepower helps it stay fast. The right combination creates smooth, responsive, and unforgettable driving dynamics.

Here’s how some of today’s top exotic cars deliver power:

• Ferrari 812 Superfast: 789 hp, 530 lb-ft of torque — high-revving V12 performance with thrilling acceleration and top-end speed
• Lamborghini Huracán STO: 631 hp, 417 lb-ft of torque — razor-sharp delivery with precision handling and power at every RPM
• McLaren Artura: 671 hp, 531 lb-ft of torque — hybrid performance with strong torque and immediate throttle response
• Porsche 911 Turbo S: 640 hp, 590 lb-ft of torque — engineered for rapid launches and balanced performance in all conditions

Each of these cars offers a unique driving experience based on how horsepower and torque are tuned and delivered.

Which One Matters More?

That depends on your driving preferences:

Final Thoughts

Both horsepower and torque are essential to the performance of an exotic vehicle—but the way they’re delivered makes all the difference. Some cars are built to explode off the line. Others are engineered to build speed progressively with every rev. The best ones balance both for a refined yet thrilling ride.
 

At Boardwalk Auto Group, we’ll help you find a vehicle that matches your driving style—whether you're looking for a grand touring Ferrari, a track-ready Lamborghini, a hybrid-powered McLaren, or a daily-drivable Porsche with supercar DNA.

Explore our inventory today or get a quote on your exotic vehicle. Let’s find the right performance for you.