1. What is BHP per Tonne?

BHP per tonne (brake horsepower per tonne) is a measure of power-to-weight ratio, commonly used to evaluate vehicle performance. It indicates how much power is available for each tonne of vehicle weight.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( \text{BHP} \) — Brake horsepower (bhp)
• \( \text{Weight} \) — Vehicle weight in kilograms (kg)

Explanation: The formula converts weight from kg to tonnes (by dividing by 1000) and then divides the power by this value to get power per tonne.

3. Importance of BHP per Tonne

Details: This metric is crucial for comparing vehicle performance as it accounts for both power output and vehicle weight. Higher values indicate better acceleration potential.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vehicle's brake horsepower (bhp) and its weight in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a good BHP per tonne ratio?
A: For passenger cars, 100 bhp/tonne is decent, 150+ is sporty, and 200+ is high performance. Race cars often exceed 500 bhp/tonne.

Q2: How does BHP per tonne relate to acceleration?
A: Generally, higher BHP per tonne means better acceleration, though other factors like gearing and traction also play important roles.

Q3: Should I use curb weight or gross weight?
A: For performance comparisons, use curb weight (empty vehicle weight). For practical load capacity calculations, use gross weight.

Q4: How does this compare to PS per tonne?
A: 1 PS ≈ 0.986 BHP, so the values are very similar. PS is the metric horsepower unit commonly used in Europe.

Q5: Can this be used for electric vehicles?
A: Yes, though you may need to convert kW to BHP (1 kW ≈ 1.341 BHP) if using the motor's power rating in kilowatts.