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What is CV in car power?

Published in Car Engine Power 3 mins read

In the context of car power, CV stands for chevaux-vapeur, a French acronym that serves as a direct equivalent to horsepower (HP) and PS. It is a unit used to measure the power output of an engine, indicating how much work an engine can perform over a period.

Understanding CV (Chevaux-Vapeur)

CV, often found in specifications for vehicles, particularly in European markets, directly translates to "horse-steam" or "steam horses." This historical term reflects the early measurement of engine power by comparing it to the work rate of horses. It functions identically to horsepower, which is a common measure of an engine's output.

  • Direct Equivalence: CV is directly comparable to both horsepower (HP) and PS (Pferdestärke, German for "horse strength"). This means that a car rated at a certain number of CV will have a power output similar to a car rated with the same number of HP or PS, though very slight variations might exist due to different standardization methods.
  • Regional Usage: While horsepower is widely recognized globally, CV and PS are more prevalent in specific regions, particularly parts of Europe.

CV in Relation to Other Power Units

To fully grasp what CV represents, it's helpful to understand its relationship with other commonly used engine power units:

  • PS (Pferdestärke): This is the German equivalent of CV and horsepower, often used interchangeably with CV in many European car specifications. It also literally means "horse strength."
  • HP (Horsepower): The most globally recognized unit for engine power. While CV and PS are often considered direct equivalents, HP can sometimes refer to different standards (e.g., metric vs. imperial horsepower), though for practical car power figures, they are very close.
  • BHP (Brake Horsepower): A specific type of horsepower measurement. Brake horsepower refers to the engine's power output before power losses in the drivetrain (transmission, differential, etc.). It's a key figure in engine performance discussions, especially common in UK car magazines, as it represents the raw power produced at the engine's crankshaft.

Here's a simplified look at how these units broadly compare:

Unit Full Name / Origin Approximate Equivalence Common Usage
CV Chevaux-Vapeur (French) ≈ 1 HP (metric) ≈ 0.986 HP (imperial) European markets
PS Pferdestärke (German) ≈ 1 HP (metric) ≈ 0.986 HP (imperial) European markets
HP Horsepower 1 HP = 745.7 watts Global standard
BHP Brake Horsepower Power measured at the crankshaft Primarily UK, performance discussions

Understanding these different terms is essential for comparing car performance across various markets and publications. While the terminology might vary, the underlying concept of measuring an engine's power delivery remains consistent.