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Also See:
Ford 999 Race Car
In 1775 James Watt
marketed his Steam Engine design by comparing it to a horse
While working in the coal mines
he calculated that a horse could lift 150 pounds 220 feet in one munute
or 550 foot-pounds per second
This became the stard of Horsepower (abreviated hp) still used today
One unit of horsepower equals 746 watts of electrical power
Engine Power Ratings
Engine power ratings must be taken in context.
Automakers are quick to point out that their model has, say, the most horsepower of any minivan.
Without considering the vehicle's weight, transmission and other factors, the specification is of limited value
In the end, acceleration and fuel economy tell you what you need to know.
One exception is when comparing a base engine with an upgrade engine for the same model
In this case, higher output means faster acceleration and, typically, lower fuel economy.
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