Infiniti is putting Renault FI technology in its Q60
Infiniti debuted a refreshed Project Black S at the Paris Motor Show on Oct. 1, featuring a new dual-hybrid system developed with the Renault’s Formula One team.
Based on the Q60 Red Sport 400, Project Black S will have a dual electric-hybrid system similar to the ones found in F1 cars, which means you can expect an Energy Recovery System that uses kinetic and frictional energy to return power to the electric motors.
A single MGU-K (motor generator unit kinetic) employed by the system will harvest energy from braking, while the other two motor-generated units (MGUH, with the “H” standing for heat) will be attached to two turbochargers and use the heat generated from exhaust gases to return electric energy into the hybrid system.
Coupled to the 400-horsepower VR30 V6 found in the Red Sport, the dual-hybrid system bumps the output to 563 hp, and we’re guessing more torque as well, though figures for the latter were not released. Infiniti estimates the Project Black S will reach 100 km/h in under four seconds.
The exterior of the vehicle has also been given some warming over by the F1 team, most noticeably in the front fascia, which has been given a huge splitter to increase the aerodynamics.
The colour is obviously black, but it has subtle yellow accents. Around the back is the real party piece, a giant wing modelled after Renault’s “Monza” wing. In the F1 car, the downforce is designed to be minimal to increase the top speed, but Infiniti says some digital tweaking has optimized it for top speed and cornering on the road car.
“The Project Black S prototype is a test bed for new ideas and technologies,” said Roland Krueger, chairman and global president at Infiniti.
As part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, Infiniti wants to demonstrate what can be done to bring Formula One technology to road cars. This vehicle follows Infiniti’s plans to electrify its lineup from 2021 onward.