03-06-2015, 08:43 AM
I've never really understood this discussion. Torque is one of the two measurable components used to derive engine horsepower. The other is RPM, but you never hear anyone comparing horsepower vs. RPM. 
An engine that puts out a lot of torque, but doesn't rev very high is power equivalent to an engine the puts out a lower torque value, but revs faster. Gobs of torque at really low RPMs are ideal for things like tractors and military tanks. Tiny amounts of torque spun at really high rpm are good for things like turboprop engines on airplanes. Both of the above engines can have the exact same amount of horsepower, but torque and RPM relationships are quite different, to suit their very different needs.
An engine that puts out a lot of torque, but doesn't rev very high is power equivalent to an engine the puts out a lower torque value, but revs faster. Gobs of torque at really low RPMs are ideal for things like tractors and military tanks. Tiny amounts of torque spun at really high rpm are good for things like turboprop engines on airplanes. Both of the above engines can have the exact same amount of horsepower, but torque and RPM relationships are quite different, to suit their very different needs.