Power & Torque - BMW M3 query

[berg]

If peak power is meaningless and torque is where it is all at, can someone explain to me in layman's terms, how one of the fastest cars in the BMW range produces 414bhp but less than 300lb ft and still clears 0-60 sub 5 seconds?

Does the 335d produce a lot more torque than the M3 but yet is still slower? 

[andrewparker]

The 335d has a much narrower power band...

[WhiteGTI]

0-60 isn't really a measurement statistic for torque either really

[tony_danza]

Having loads of torque doesn't make a car fast, it's a myth. Look at bikes - Vtwin vs 4pot.

[donovan2123]

Power for 0-60 and torque for 30-70. Or go up a steep hill same gear and see which is faster.  

I always heard power is how fast you get to the brick wall where as torque is how far you take the brick wall with you lol

[camfollower]

Having loads of torque doesn't make a car fast, it's a myth. Look at bikes - Vtwin vs 4pot.

^^^ This.

Torque doesn't mean cr@p in racing, if you can keep an engine in the powerband, Horsepower is what makes something fast.

Torque makes it feeel fast.

Look at the Civic Type R, no torque but just as fast as a standard K03 GTI.

Admittedly, torque is where it's at for effortless day to day driving; and 300lb/ft+ is a nice amount for most peeps.  You also have to look at how long that 300lb/ft is held for...

[GTI5]

Power = Torque * RPM / 5252 (Think of power as how quickly work can be done)

An engine makes torque and depending on how many rpms it is running at while making this torque it will produce power.

BHP is more important because gearboxes transmit this power to make torque at the wheels.

If you increase the Torque for a given RPM you will also increase power.

[berg]

interesting replies and has helped mt understanding of the relationship between the two 

[GrayMK5GTI]

Don't forget weight, gear ratios, shorter shift kits, traction etc.

Torque is like the ability to react, for example holding 50mph then accelerating to 70mph, your using the torque to begin the acceleration.

[Poverty]

Tractors have alot of torque. Torque power rpm it's all relative.

[tony_danza]

Torque is what people rely on when they're in the wrong gear or don't have a wide power band (i.e. a diesel).

Sadly the days of high revving N/A are numbered 

[Poverty]

Or are just plain lazy. Accelerating in 5th from 3000rpm with their 450lbft of torque and then they wonder why their clutch has started to slip at 15k miles lol