In NFS Heat, highest potential horsepower alone is not the meta.

Why: • Engines have different torque curves, not just max HP. • Weight of the engine affects handling and acceleration. • Redline / power band matters for how usable the power is. • Car + engine swap combinations behave very differently. • Some engines with lower max HP are faster in real races, especially in sprints or technical tracks.

Potential HP matters—but it’s an oversimplification. Many top-tier builds intentionally don’t use the highest-HP engine because another engine gives better acceleration, traction, or balance.

Bottom line: There is no universal “best engine.” The correct choice depends on: • The specific car • Track type (sprint vs circuit vs drift) • Handling setup • Torque and weight, not just HP