Infiniti and Renault F1 unveil Q60 Project Black S hybrid concept
The Q60 Project Black S, revealed by Infiniti and the Renault F1 team at Geneva 2017, adapts Formula One hybrid technology to a 500hp road-going coupe.
Infiniti and the Renault Formula One team presented the Q60 Project Black S hybrid concept at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, bringing F1-inspired hybrid technology to a road-going coupe. The concept builds on the Q60 Red Sport 400, but adds an energy recovery system developed with input from Renault’s F1 powertrain engineers.
The Q60 Project Black S starts with Infiniti’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, rated at 400hp in the Red Sport 400. The concept adds a hybrid system that captures energy not only from braking but also from exhaust heat, storing it in a lithium-ion battery. This energy can be deployed to power the crankshaft and turbo compressor, boosting total output to a claimed 500hp.
Infiniti’s hybrid system is directly influenced by the energy recovery systems used in Formula One, where Renault has supplied hybrid power units since 2014. The system uses a motor generator unit to harvest and deploy energy, a technology familiar to F1 engineers but rare in road cars outside low-volume hypercars. The company said the Geneva concept is intended to gauge public and media interest in a possible production version.
Technical highlights and F1 connection
- 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as base powerplant
- Electric motor generator for hybrid boost
- Energy recovery from both braking and exhaust heat
- Lithium-ion battery storage for instant deployment
- Targeted 500hp peak output
The Q60 Project Black S is not Infiniti’s first experiment with performance hybrids, but it is the most direct application of Formula One technology in the brand’s range. The company previously explored high-performance petrol-electric models, but the Black S concept marks an escalation in ambition, both in terms of power and technical complexity.
Potential for production and market impact
Infiniti positioned the concept as a test for potential series production, targeting rivals such as Lexus and BMW’s high-performance divisions. The company has previously shown interest in building a flagship sports coupe, but projects like the Q50 Eau Rouge did not reach showrooms. The Black S concept’s reception at Geneva was seen as a key factor in future decisions.
If a production version emerges, it would be the first Infiniti to feature a Formula One-style hybrid system. The collaboration with Renault F1 gives the project technical credibility, but there are no confirmed plans for sales or pricing. For details on the standard Q60 Red Sport 400, seeour pricing coverage here.
