The auto industry’s dirty little secret

In the real world of driving on public streets, the kind of performance that matters has almost nothing to do with massive horsepower, exotic forged-alloy control arms, or anything related to racing. Yet each year, carmakers draw multitudes into showrooms with inferences of “race bred” technology and the slightest hint that some part of your new car comes from a race car. Take your entire car apart–you’ll never find that piece.

When you drive a car and fall in love with its “horsepower,” you’re probably fawning over its torque. The two are intertwined, yes, but when it comes right down to it, torque is for driving, and horsepower is for bragging.