Automotive engine torque is a measure of the force
required to rotate an object about an axis, e.g. the force provided by the
engine to rotate the drive train.
Due to frictional and mechanical losses in
various drivetrain components, the measured rotational torque at the driven
wheels will be approximately 20% less than the torque measured at the engine
crankshaft.
The more powerful an engine is, the greater the amount of
torque
that can be
generated.
A chassis dynamometer, is a piece of kit used to measure engine torque and
rotational speed. This enables
engine horsepower to be calculated. typically a
chassis dynamometer
comprises a pair of flat bed rollers over which the test vehicle wheels are
positioned. The test vehicle wheels are then rotated to drive the dynamometer
rollers.
