Kilowatts to metric horsepower – convert kW to PS
Convert kilowatts to metric horsepower (kW to PS) for European and Japanese car power figures, motorbike specs and engine documentation. This page opens the main power converter with kW → metric hp pre-selected.
Open the interactive kW → metric hp converter:
Use main converter (kW → metric hp) or switch to metric hp → kWQuick reference: kW to metric hp
1 kW ≈ 1.3596 metric horsepower.
| Kilowatts (kW) | Metric horsepower (PS, approx.) |
|---|---|
| 50 kW | 68.0 PS |
| 75 kW | 102.0 PS |
| 100 kW | 136.0 PS |
| 150 kW | 204.0 PS |
| 200 kW | 272.0 PS |
Why convert kW to metric horsepower?
- Reading kW figures as PS to match older brochures or reviews.
- Comparing engines rated in PS with those quoted in pure kW.
- Preparing marketing material for markets that still prefer PS/CV.
- Checking online listings that switch between PS, hp and kW.
kW, metric hp and mechanical hp
kW is the common engineering unit and appears on many registration documents.
Metric hp (PS) is slightly smaller than mechanical hp and is popular in mainland Europe and Japan.
kW to metric hp FAQ
- Which markets use PS or CV?
- Germany, France, Italy and Japan commonly quote PS/CV alongside or instead of kW in consumer materials.
- Is 100 kW the same as 136 PS?
- Approximately, yes: 100 kW ≈ 136 PS, which is a typical compact car output.
- How do I go from kW to mechanical hp?
- Use the kW ↔ hp converter pages, which treat mechanical hp separately from metric horsepower.