[scottj]

A vehicle in motion has kinetic energy.

Acceleration causes a change in kinetic energy.

Power is the derivative of energy, which is to say, power = the rate of change of energy.

To increase power is to increase the roc of energy.

An increase in the roc of energy is increased acceleration.

Therefore, an increase in power causes an increase in acceleration.

Understand horsepower and its relationship to torque and you will understand that the higher the average horsepower, the higher the rate of acceleration… whether or not “you need to pay attention to HP” is up to you…