20 Years of Autotechnica TV: The Videos before KZfaq. This is one of our first videos produced for television never before published on social networks and we now offer them as part of our two decades explaining Clear and Simple Technology.
An engine which produces a lot of torque over a wide range of engine speeds will be relaxing to drive because fewer gear changes are needed: the engine's torque is often sufficient to accelerate the car without changing down. At cruising speeds a lorquey' engine will not need to be turning over very quickly because it can pull at high gearing, which makes for good economy.
Engines that produce a lot of power for their size do not usually produce so much torque, and what torque there is is often produced at higher engine speeds. It is also likely that the engine will be producing usable torque and power over a smaller range of engine speeds; this narrow 'power band' makes the engine less suitable than a torquey or 'lazy' engine for jobs such as towing, and the car will be less relaxing to drive.
TECHNICAL CLASSROOM: The first explanation of Torque and Power.