What's the difference between torque and horsepower, or are they the same?

Question

I'm trying to figure out what's the difference, if there is any. I know that even though the Mustang GT is a 6 cylinder vehicle, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI is a 4 cylinder vehicle, it can beat the new Mustang GT in a quarter mile race. It's lighter in weight for one I know this...However, I know the Mustang has more horsepower and Top Speed as well. Is this where torque plays a part in a sports car? Also what factors and upgrades can increase torque in a car, even if it weren't supercharged? Examples: Cold Air Intake system, Bigger Exhausts, etc. Can you list any other factors that will increase torque in a car if that's the key factor in improvement? Can you increase torque in a car without really even focusing on horsepower itself? What racing parts focus on torque?

Answer 1

Torque is what makes a car accelerate, horsepower is what keeps up the speed. Take a look at some numbers for today's street cars. Many of them have more torque than hp. You show a good example. A stock WRX runs out of steam before the Mustang does, but will get there faster.

Answer 2

I'd just like to add to Jay's answer.  Torque indeed is what moves your car, but HP is the amount of torque with the time it takes to apply that torque factored in. I think it may be torque/time, but i'm not sure.

Answer 3

In physics, a torque (τ) (also called a moment) is a vector that measures the tendency of a force to rotate an object about some axis whereas

Horsepower (hp or HP[1]) is the name of several non-metric units of power.

Answer 4

Horsepower is just a number derived from torque and rpm.

Horsepower equals torque X rpm divided by 5252

Horsepower and torque are always equal at 5252 rpm in every engine.

A race car that is properly geared will be faster with higher horsepower.

Dynos only measure torque and horsepower is calculated from that

If gearing cannot be optimised there are instances where more torque will be faster.