Metric horsepower (often abbreviated as PS or metric hp) is a unit of power equivalent to **0.986 horsepower (Imperial) **. It is not an SI unit but is widely used in Europe and other regions for measuring engine power.
The term "horsepower" was coined in the late 18th century by James Watt to compare steam engine power to that of horses. The metric horsepower was later defined in the early 20th century, primarily to align with the metric system. The standard value of 1 PS was formally defined as 75 kilograms-meter per second.
Metric horsepower is commonly used in the automotive industry, especially in Europe, to denote engine power. It also appears in various technical specifications for machinery and equipment, facilitating comparison among different power sources.