Where is peak torque typically found in relation to engine speed?

Peak torque is typically found at a lower engine speed than peak horsepower due to the nature of internal combustion engines and how they generate power. Torque is a measure of rotational force, and it generally reaches its maximum at a lower RPM (revolutions per minute) because it reflects the engine's ability to do work effectively at lower speeds.

As the engine speed increases, horsepower continues to rise due to the formula that connects horsepower to torque and RPM, specifically horsepower = (torque × RPM) / 5252. This means that while torque may peak relatively early in the RPM range, horsepower continues to climb and will reach its peak at higher RPMs.

Understanding these characteristics helps in recognizing how engines perform under different conditions, which is crucial for tasks like choosing the right gear while driving or understanding the power delivery of a vehicle.