Serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins are famously happy hormones that promote positive feelings like pleasure, happiness, and even love.
Hormones and neurotransmitters are involved in lots of essential processes, like heart rate and digestion, but also your mood and feelings. They are the body's chemical messengers, and some of them are known for their ability to help people bond, feel joy, and experience pleasure.
Table of contents
1. What are happy hormones and neurotransmitters? 2. The list of happy chemicals 3. Serotonin, the feel good hormones in your gut 4. Foods that increase serotonin 5. Oxytocin, the cuddle hormone 6. How to increase oxytocin naturally 7. Dopamine, the motivational molecule 8. Dopamine and disease 9. Can foods increase dopamine? 10. Endorphins: the runner's hormone 11. Happy hormones: the take-home
Understanding the importance of these happy chemicals in the brain and body and their impact on mental health means you can take active steps to improve their levels naturally. In other words, happy hormones mean a happy you!
What are happy hormones (and neurotransmitters)?
Hormones are chemicals produced by various glands in the human body whose primary function is to communicate between two glands or between a gland and an organ.
The hormones in your body rise and fall throughout the day. For example, a surge of cortisol in the morning wakes you up, while another hormone, melatonin, helps to get you ready for bed in the evening. And then there are the hormones that tell you you're hungry, full, happy, and sad.
There is a specific system in the body controlling the production and release of hormones into the bloodstream called the endocrine system. It is a network of glands which runs throughout the body, with each gland making at least one hormone, that is controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain.
Feel good hormones are produced by the endocrine system
There are some hormones which are involved in the regulation of mood, pleasure, bonding, and even pain relief. But that's not all. These chemicals are critical components of your health, like growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction too.
Sometimes, these hormones are called neurotransmitters. There's really no big difference between hormones and neurotransmitters, except for where they act. Happy hormones travel through the bloodstream to different organs and tissues, while happy neurotransmitters only occur in the brain and central nervous system where they communicate directly via neurons.
☝TIP☝Boost your microbiome to get those gut hormones balanced. Take theAtlas Microbiome Test.
What chemical makes you happy?
The body has many feel good hormones that boost mood and promote general wellbeing in many ways. Some are able to alleviate anxiety and prevent depressive symptoms while others trigger pleasure, joy, bonding, and trust. Here are the main happiness chemicals in your body:
Chemical
Mood function
Serotonin
mood stabiliser, wellbeing, happiness
Dopamine
pleasure, motivational role in brain's reward system
Oxytocin
Bonding, love, trust
Endorphins
Pain relief, runner's high, relaxation
Serotonin: the feel good hormones in your gut
Serotonin is a happy hormone that's mainly produced by the gut
The original happy hormone – aka serotonin – is essential for mood, digestion, sleep, brain function, and circadian rhythm. Funnily enough, up to 90% of your body's serotonin is produced in the gut where it can act in two different ways:
a neurotransmitter that communicates via the enteric nervous system in the gut
released into the bloodstream where it operates as a hormone on the body's tissues
A recent revelation is that your gut bacteria participate in your serotonin production. Crazy as it sounds, the trillions of microbial cells in your colon actually have the ability to stimulate the cells that make serotonin.
Another factor that influences serotonin production is the availability of its precursor, tryptophan, a substance that your gut can turn into serotonin. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means you must get it from your diet because the body is unable to make it.
These fascinating findings suggest that you may be able to support your own mental wellbeing by taking care of your gut bacteria and your diet. After all, one of the most influential factors on the quality of your microbiome is diet, and diet is also known to play a role in mental health.
A diet of fiber-rich plant foods with meat and fat in moderation is associated with more abundant bacteria that produce acetate and butyrate. A balanced whole-food diet has also been shown to promote mental health. On the other hand, people who follow the Western diet (refined carbohydrates, fast food, and animal products) tend to have less beneficial bacteria.
Serotonin remains a rather elusive chemical for researchers who note that it seems to be "involved in everything but responsible for nothing". The same goes for mood too. Low serotonin has been noted in depression, but increasing serotonin levels in depressed people doesn't reliably work, and there are some serious side effects.
☝Is serotonin an endorphin?☝ No. They are both hormones and neuro-signalling molecules, but they have different functions.
Foods that increase serotonin
You can't eat serotonin, but you can boost serotonin happiness with food in two ways. Firstly, you can add more prebiotic foods to your diet that support the good bacteria who produce short-chain fatty acids.
Foods for your gut microbiome
apples
citrus
mushrooms
barley
cold potato
oats
beetroot
cranberries
onions
berries
garlic
rye
blackberries
Jerusalem artichoke
wheat
chicory
legumes
pasta
In addition to that, you can add more foods that naturally contain tryptophan, the essential amino acid the body uses to produce serotonin. Just remember that your body needs about 30g of fiber from food each day, and to consume meat and fats in moderation. This will help keep your body and gut microbes balanced.
Foods that are rich in tryptophan
sunflower seeds
spirulina
cod, salmon
soybeans
potatoes
eggs
oats
milk
chickpeas
wheat
cheese
beef
quinoa
chickpeas
chicken/turkey
Oxytocin, the cuddle hormone
Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes bonding and trust, and it is particularly active during childbirth where it stimulates contractions. One of its lesser-known, but equally important, functions is as a neurotransmitter that helps regulate stress responses and calm the nervous system.
It's been pinpointed in human bonding, generosity, and establishing trust, while other studies show that it might be what makes some romantic relationships work. Indeed, higher blood oxytocin levels have been linked to greater perceived love, responsiveness, and gratitude in couples.
Oxytocin is triggered by closeness, that's why it's the cuddle hormone
Oxytocin secretion happens in response to stimuli perceived by the brain, which is carefully monitoring your environment for threats (and signs of safety) using your ears, eyes, taste, touch, and smell. It's produced in response to touch and even the right kind of eye contact, but also in times of stress to counterbalance the effects of cortisol.
In recent years, the scientific community has discovered that oxytocin plays a much wider role than initially ascribed, regulating the immune system, healing, and even pain perception. You won't be surprised then to discover that your gut bacteria have got their finger in this pie too.
Although most of the studies have been conducted in mice, it was shown that gut microbes can stimulate oxytocin production, thus promoting wound healing and muscle health, leading some to suggest that this chemical might contribute to healthful longevity.
☝FACT☝The probiotic bacteria, L. reuteri, was shown to increase the body's natural production of wound-healing oxytocin.
How to increase oxytocin naturally
If you're wondering how to release oxytocin, it's pretty simple. There is no oxytocin food, but that's okay because oxytocin is released when you engage in caring relationships and have a loving community around you.
romance
caring relationships
soft, friendly touch
friendship
pets
Although there is an oxytocin supplement in the form of a nasal spray, it's primary use is for problems related to child birth and in psychiatric research. Always consult your doctor before taking any kind of supplement.
Dopamine, the motivational molecule
Dopamine is another hormone that makes you happy while also keeping you alive and alert. It's involved in a wide range of activities, and a number of severe conditions are associated with the dysfunction of the dopamine system. Here are some systems it's involved in:
motor control and cognitive function
the brain's motivation and reward system
decision-making and impulse control
memory and attention
maternal and reproductive behaviours
This chemical is part of the brain's reward system - it's what gives you pleasurable sensations and keeps you coming back for more. Dopamine is considered to be the motivational cog in this system, and it's naturally released when you perceive food or sex, but before you consume it.
☝FACT☝Dopamine is the active neurotransmitter in addictions to substances (drugs and alcohol) and behaviours (gambling, sex).
Dopamine and disease
Dopamine is a motivational molecule that's also made in the gut
Approximately 50% of all your dopamine is produced in the gut, and early studies in rodents suggest that the microbiome may be somehow involved. This potential relationship came about after research in Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disease caused by problems with dopamine transmission in nerve cells.
Clearly, it's still early days in this field, but there is an important take-home message here. The gut microbiome constitutes a pivotal area for long-term health, which is why some researchers even consider the trillions of bacterial cells in your colon to be a "new organ" rather than an alien colony.
Caring for your gut microbiome can contribute to your mental wellbeing and longevity because there's a second "brain" in your gut (the enteric nervous system), and it is nearly just as important as your actual brain when it comes to producing the chemicals that make you happy and keep you healthy.
☝FACT☝In mice, L. reuteri supplementation was shown to improve depressive behaviour and improve the body's serotonin metabolism.
Can foods increase dopamine?
The decline in dopamine signalling with age has led to research into how to solve this problem. Dopamine can't be found in food, so you can't eat it, which is why scientists looked to its precursor molecules for answers.
As it happens, the body can turn tyrosine - an amino acid - into dopamine via a complex chain of reactions. Tyrosine is found in food, and many online sources tell people to eat tyrosine-rich foods to boost their dopamine levels.
However, the reality is somewhat different. Studies looking at tyrosine supplementation to support dopamine signalling in the brain offer very different results. Some indicate that it can help but only when dopamine function is intact, while others show that it doesn't, and may even be detrimental in older people.
☝Is dopamine an endorphin?☝ No, endorphins naturally relieve pain and cause euphoria. Dopamine happiness comes from the brain's reward system.
Endorphins: the runner's hormone
Endorphins make you happy, but not in the way you might think. Endorphins are hormones and neuro-signalling molecules that function as painkillers. They inhibit the transmission of pain signals in the central nervous system by binding to opioid receptors (the body's natural morphine).
Boost your endorphins (and cardio fitness) with running
Endorphins and dopamine are often confused because each one is a chemical that makes you happy in the broad sense of the term. However, they are in some ways related because, when endorphins bind to receptors of the central nervous system, dopamine (the pleasure hormone) is released.
Yet, happy endorphins didn't rise to fame because they block pain signals, but because they induce euphoria. That's right, the ubiquitous "runner's high" is caused by a big rush of endorphins. Plus, the potent combination of endorphins and dopamine explains why people get "hooked" on running.
Happy hormones: the take-home
Endorphins make you happy after exercise
These hormones or neurotransmitters are involved in promoting a happy mood and positive feelings, and you might know them by different names too. For example, serotonin is also called the happiness hormone, dopamine is a feel-good hormone, and oxytocin is the cuddle hormone.
The gut microbiome has a positive role in the production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. These not only allow neurons to communicate with each other, but also connect the nervous system with the gut. In other words, a happy gut means a happy mind!
There are some natural ways to increase your levels of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin which will boost your mood, emotions, and even cognitive function. Activities like exercise, eating a meal with loved ones, and increasing your intake of prebiotics and probiotics are all beneficial.
Algoe SB et al., Oxytocin and Social Bonds: The Role of Oxytocin in Perceptions of Romantic Partners' Bonding Behavior, 2017
Briguglio, M et al. Dietary Neurotransmitters: A Narrative Review on Current Knowledge, 2018
Bloemendaal M et al., Neuro-Cognitive Effects of Acute Tyrosine Administration on Reactive and Proactive Response Inhibition in Healthy Older Adults, 2018
Carabotti, M et al. The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions Between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems, 2015
Carpenter, S. That Gut Feeling, 2012
[Clarke, G et al.] Minireview: Gut Microbiota: The Neglected Endocrine Organ, 2014](https://academic.oup.com/mend/article/28/8/1221/2623221)
Carhartt RL & Nutt DJ, Serotonin and brain function: a tale of two receptors, 2017
Erdman SE & Poutahidis T, Microbes and Oxytocin: Benefits for Host Physiology and Behavior, 2016
Erdman SE, Microbes, Oxytocin, and Healthful longevity, 2014
Gonzalez-Arancibia et al., Do your gut microbes affect your brain dopamine?, 2019
Herr, N et al. The Effects of Serotonin in Immune Cells, 2017
Jenkins, T, A et al. Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis, 2015
Jongkees BJ et al., Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands--A review, 2015
Klein MO et al., Dopamine: Functions, Signaling, and Association with Neurological Diseases, 2019
Lachance L & Ramsey D, Food, Mood, and Brain Health: Implications for the Modern Clinician, 2015
Reigstad, C, S et al. Gut Microbes Promote Colonic Serotonin Production Through an Effect of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Enterochromaffin Cells, 2015
Rekdal, V, M et al. Discovery and Inhibition of an Interspecies Gut Bacterial Pathway for Levodopa Metabolism, 2019
Ridaura, V and Belkaid, Y. Git Microbiota: The Link to Your Second Brain, 2015
Ruining X et al., Oral treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri attenuates depressive-like behaviors and serotonin metabolism alterations induced by chronic social defeat stress, 2020
Uvnäs-Moberg, K et al. Self-Soothing Behaviours with Particular Reference to Oxytocin Release Induced by Non-Noxious Sensory Stimulation, 2014
Volkow, N, D et al. The Dopamine Motive System: Implications for Drug and Food Addiction, 2017
Yano, J, M et al. Indigenous Bacteria from the Gut Microbiota Regulate Host Serotonin Biosynthesis, 2015
It's not easy to maintain a healthy weight. Fad diets never work, and let's face it: nobody wants to starve. We all want to enjoy what we eat, but how can you eat well and still be healthy? Carbs are one of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating, and if you know a few tricks, you can cut some carbs and not miss out on good food. Here are some tips on how to eat well without all those carbs:
Cook More Often.
The truth of the matter is, we all eat far too many processed foods. If you can cook your own food more often, you can do without some of the carbs that processed foods pack into your day. Besides, cooking can be fun for the whole family. Start out simple, by making your own sauces and salad dressings. Then branch out and try new recipes. Look for low-carb versions of your standard family favorites, and spread your wings even more. You can even try some desserts that cut the carbs. You may discover things you never knew you loved and meet some new favorite dishes.
Everybody loves a good dip, especially at parties. You know that you wind up scooping dips with a carb-laden chip, but you don't have to. Next time, try that french onion dip with a slice of cucumber or zucchini instead of potato chips. Scoop your hummus with a carrot instead of a pita chip. Sliced veggies provide a nice crunch without having to subject yourself to a ton of carbs. This principle works with sweeter treats as well (yes, even though the sweet stuff usually contains plenty of carbs on its own). Instead of making a peanut butter sandwich, spread it on some celery or an apple. You can still enjoy some of the tastes you crave and cut out some carbs at the same time.
Splurge on Seafood.
One of the best ways to enjoy terrific food and eat healthy is seafood. Whether you're well versed in seafood recipes or not, there are plenty of ways to eat fish and other seafood that can satisfy every taste. While it's true that seafood can be expensive, it can be a nice splurge that offers great flavor and healthier eating. Seafood recipes can be simple or complex. Start with the basics: the possibilities with shrimp, scallops, and salmon are endless. Then branch out to other great seafood options. Freshwater fish and crawfish have plenty of exciting potential to open your horizons to healthy eating as well.
Try Veggies Instead of Pasta when You Enjoy Italian Food.
Who doesn't love pasta? It's fun to eat and delicious, but it's loaded with carbs. But you don't have to cut your favorite Italian dishes completely out of your life. There's a great alternative: vegetables. You can substitute veggies for pasta and still make the best Italian meals delicious. Try sliced zucchini or eggplant with your favorite sauces, or invest in a spiralizer to create swirly, twisty veggie noodles. You can even lightly fry up veggies to give them a little extra bite. You'll be surprised how much flavor veggies can bring when you season them up and use them in place of pasta for healthier eating.
Omelets or Oatmeal Make a Terrific Breakfast.
You've heard it said time and time again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for such an important meal, so many breakfast options weigh you down with carbs. Biscuits, toast, and bagels come with more carbs than you need to start your day. So what do you do for a healthy breakfast that's hearty? Omelets are a great option for a flavorful and filling breakfast. Add meat and cheese or veggies to an omelet, and throw in some peppers for a bit of spice. You can also turn oatmeal into a tasty healthy breakfast. Throw some fresh berries and honey into the bowl to create a treat that wakes you up right.
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Lose pounds in the healthiest way!
It's no secret, the key to weight loss is simple: a calorie intake that fits your lifestyle, good eating habits, and daily exercise. With the Fat Burn Detox plan endorsed by our team of nutritionists, you willWe help achieve healthy weight loss with a range of cold-pressed juices that, although they contain more vegetables than fruits and are low in calories, they do not give up rich and fresh flavors. Choose a 1, 3 or 5 day program depending on your goals(and your experience) and get back to good eating habits while eliminating toxins!
Out of stock
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Lose pounds in the healthiest way!
It's no secret, the key to weight loss is simple: a calorie intake that fits your lifestyle, good eating habits, and daily exercise. With the Fat Burn Detox plan endorsed by our team of nutritionists, you willWe help achieve healthy weight loss with a range of cold-pressed juices that, although they contain more vegetables than fruits and are low in calories, they do not give up rich and fresh flavors. Choose a 1, 3 or 5 day program depending on your goals(and your experience) and get back to good eating habits while eliminating toxins!
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Say what you will about the Hyundai Veloster, it sure knows how to make an impression. However, when Hyundai added a turbo to their asymmetrical little hatch in 2013, they fell a little short of offering enthusiasts a true alternative to the Golf GTI.
Yes, the added power was welcome, but the suspension components and brakes hadn't been upgraded from the base car, preventing the Veloster from delivering the dynamic prowess that made its competitors that much more special.
Hence the Veloster Rally Edition. No, this car has nothing to do with the one Thierry Neuville and Nicholas Gilsoul will be using to tear up WRC rally stages this year. It does, however, mark Hyundai's participation in the sport, and adds just enough hardware to satisfy the hardcore enthusiasts – or so Hyundai thinks.
That Matte Paint Though
So, what exactly does this limited production Rally Edition add to the Veloster Turbo? For starters, there's that kick ass matte blue paint job, which, combined with the fake carbon fiber accents (exclusive to the Rally Edition) and blacked-out 18″ RAYS wheels, gives this Veloster the proper boy racer treatment.
But the modifications are more than cosmetic. Those lightweight wheels are fitted to a 10-mm wider tire, and, according to Hyundai, help reduce unsprung weight by five pounds per wheel. The Rally Edition also comes equipped with a B&M Racing short throw shifter (available as an option on the Turbo), upgraded shock absorbers, coil-springs, and beefier stabilizer bars.
There's also unique badging, floor mats, blue accentuated interior components and seats, as well as a Dimension 8-speaker sound system with a trunk-mounted subwoofer. Oh, and the only transmission available is a 6-speed manual – thank God.
Of course, being based on the Veloster Turbo, the Rally Edition inherits the same superb 1.6L direct injection turbo four-cylinder good for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
Now, before I go on about the way this thing drives, let me take the time to express my impressions about the styling.
It sure looks unusual doesn't it?
Especially with those two doors on one side and single door on the other. You can actually notice that the B pillars aren't located at the same position on each side. From some angles, especially from the driver's profile view, the Veloster looks absolutely gorgeous, reminding me of the Honda CRX, one of my favorite cars of all time.
But from other angles, such as the rear, it looks too tacky, too over-the-top, and, well too plastic for my tastes. I'm also not a big fan of the two enormous red reflector lights in the rear bumper.
Nevertheless, the Veloster did attract a lot of attention during the week I had it, especially that matte blue paint job. People had mixed opinions, with comments ranging from "looks amazing!" to "what an awful-looking car!"
Everyone I met, though, was intrigued and wanted to know more about the Veloster, which, I assume, is exactly what Hyundai was aiming for with the design of this car.
Impressive Numbers
On paper, the Veloster does indeed boast some impressive numbers. Weighing in at just 1305 kg, the power-to-weight ratio is decent and in tune with the competition. In fact, Hyundai prides itself that the Veloster Turbo is 70 kg lighter than a 4-door Volkswagen Golf GTI while offering roughly the same amount of power.
And you do feel that power behind the wheel. There's a solid push of boost delivered down low, followed by a linear and steady delivery all the way to redline; with peak power happening at around 6,000 rpm. It all makes for a broad range of usable performance.
It's also a very flexible engine, providing impressive fuel economy (9.4 L/100 km average) and running on regular octane gas. In every day casual driving, thanks to the low-end torque, it'll sit comfortably in 6th gear, providing ample passing power without requiring a downshift.
The Veloster Rally also emits a satisfying intake growl accompanied by a subtle turbo woosh. It sounds properly sporty, very tuner-ish, but remains somewhat subdued compared to, let's say, a Ford Fiesta ST.
This is, without question, a fun car to drive, one which you'll enjoy ripping through the gears and drive like a hooligan.
There is, however, a slight problem with steering feel. Although much improved over the standard Veloster thanks to a shorter steering rack and added resistance, it still feels somewhat vague. There's also a rather wide dead zone when placed on center.
The tiny Veloster, with its abundance of overwhelming power on tap, isn't a refined sports car by any means, but remains a sports car nonetheless, one that is respectfully quick off the line. According to Car and Driver, it'll hit 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
I also enjoyed the 6-speed manual transmission. It's not as "snick snick" as what you get in a Honda, but the short throws and precise cog engagement from that B&M Racing shifter, combined with a light clutch and surprisingly more than satisfying brakes, all add up to a fun and almost old-school driving experience.
One-wheel Peel Monster
Where the Veloster disappoints, however, is in its chassis dynamics. Yes, the Rally Edition receives a much-needed suspension upgrade over the standard Turbo and does feel generally nimbler, stiffer, and more reactive. I'm also impressed at how well Hyundai has calibrated this new suspension setup, leading to a much more focused car in every way.
But the Veloster still falls short from being a stellar handling machine.
First, there's the lack of a limited-slip differential. This means that not only will the Veloster exhibit a fair amount of wheel hop when launched hard, it annoyingly peels from one wheel and plows forward when power is applied coming out of a corner.
This not only prevented me from truly pushing the car's limits; it's also the reason why the Veloster is unable to put down a faster 0-100 time.
Also, the rear suspension is a solid axle design, which, although it will happily wiggle upon throttle lift off, doesn't deliver the confidence-inspiring handling characteristics as in a Fiesta ST for instance. Instead, the Veloster's rear end bounces aggressively when driven fast over road imperfections, making for a car that can be very unsettling; almost scary at the limit.
And finally, there's the fact that the Veloster rides on an ageing platform. After trying out Hyundai's new uber-solid chassis structure in the 2016 Tucson, the Veloster made me realize how quickly the brand has evolved in just 5 years.
Even with Hyundai's efforts to sharpen up the handling with the Rally Edition, the Veloster still rides on the same platform as the last generation Elantra; one that was never intended to underpin a sports car. This means that the Veloster frustratingly flexes and quibbles undesirably over the slightest cracks and bumps with occasional squeaks and rattles resonating throughout the cabin.
All this Extra Hardware at No Extra Cost
One of the greatest news about the 2016 Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition is that all this extra performance hardware comes at no extra cost over the standard Veloster Turbo.
At $27, 199, the Rally Edition is not only less expensive than a Golf GTI, it also comes with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a backup camera.
Lest not forget that bitchin' matte blue paint job.
Truth be told, for an enthusiast, there is a lot to like about this car, and there's not much missing to make it truly shine. But I have to admit, I really wanted the Veloster to be a true underdog alternative to the Golf GTI; a genuine driver's car, and a throwback to the iconic Honda CR-X. The Veloster Rally Edition is a fun little tuner car alright, but a true hot hatch it is not.
That being said, kudos to Hyundai for attempting to take on the front-wheel drive sport compact car segment; this is an aggressive market filled with well-defined players – such as the Ford Fiesta ST, which happens to be uncomfortably close to the Veloster in terms of price.
Perhaps all the Veloster needs is Hyundai's new superstructure and a limited-slip differential for it to become a true GTI slayer.
Clavey's Verdict
Review of the 2016 Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition by William Clavey
7.8 / 10 Hot Hatchbacks
+ + Great power and torque throughout entire rev range. + Short throw manual transmission: fun to row through the gears. + Well sorted out suspension tuning.
– – Absence of a limited-slip differential. – Solid rear end leads to unstable ride at high speeds. – Ageing chassis; not as solid and compliant as modern Hyundais.
Clavey's Corner is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Prices and trim levels discussed in this article reflect the Canadian car market.
(919) 362-1322 
It's also a very flexible engine, providing impressive fuel economy (9.4 L/100 km average) and running on regular octane gas. In every day casual driving, thanks to the low-end torque, it'll sit comfortably in 6th gear, providing ample passing power without requiring a downshift.
