Infiniti Project Black S revealed with F1-style KERS hybrid power

Infiniti has showcased a prototype version of its Q60 Black S performance hybrid at the Paris motor show. It's powered by a combination of a 400bhp 3.0-litre V6 and a Formula 1-style KERS energy recovery system for a total output of 563bhp. 

The prototype is claimed to duck below four seconds for the 0-62mph sprint, although an exact figure hasn't been specified. The car’s power-to-weight ratio is pegged at 315bhp per tonne. 

It uses a dual-hybrid powertrain heavily inspired by that of an F1 unit, with a regenerative braking system (MGU-K) providing one half of the system’s electric propulsion, and electric turbochargers combined with two heat energy collection units (MGU-H) recovering heat from the car’s exhaust gases under acceleration making up the other half. The petrol V6 is the same unit found in the road-going Q60 and powers the standard car from standstill to 62mph in 5.0sec. 

All three electric power sources pump energy into a 4.4kWh 'high rate discharge' battery, and then in turn through an anti-lag system. This doesn't give the Project Black an electric-only range, as it exists purely to feed power to the drivetrain as quickly as possible. 

Like the concept revealed at the Geneva motor show last year, the Black S is based on the Q60 coupé, although aggressive styling marks it out from the regular car. The concept had large twin central exhausts, working bonnet vents and a sporting bodykit, but these appear to have been dropped for the prototype. However, there's still a full carbonfibre bodykit surrounding the car, with an F1-inspired rear wing and carbonfibre bonnet vents. 

Several components of the car's bodywork are made of carbonfibre, including the roof, front wings and front bumper. Infiniti's engineers claim the weight saving goes some way to offsetting the additional mass of the powertrain. It still weighs in at 1776kg, 24kg more than the base Q60.

Infiniti teamed up with Renault’s Formula 1 team to implement the technology on the Black S, with enhanced aerodynamics making it slipperier and producing more downforce than the regular car. The carbonfibre rear wing, for example, is similar in profile to the one the F1 team fits to its cars for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and will provide the Black S with stability on high-speed straights and vital downforce when cornering.