Q60

Make
Infiniti
Segment
Coupe

The Infiniti Q60 may have the dashing looks of a sporty coupe, but it isn't renowned for its performance. So, imagine our surprise when Infiniti announced the intriguing Project Black S – a souped-up, 500 horsepower Q60 with Formula One-inspired performance hybrid technology. It's being shown off at Geneva next week, and it certainly looks the part with a noticeably more aggressive appearance than the standard Q60, sporting an aerodynamic design featuring carbon fiber components and a racing-style rear wing.

The only snag? It isn't guaranteed for production.That's because the Infiniti Q60 Project Black S is a concept car celebrating the manufacturer's technical partnership with the Renault Sport Formula One Team. Infiniti also wants to use it to see if there's enough public interest for a hardcore performance variant of the Q60. Still, it's an exciting prospect. The Project Black S will utilize an energy recovery system (ERS) inspired by the dual-hybrid system in Formula One cars that stores energy from braking and exhaust heat and deploys recovered electric power to boost power and torque.

Such technology has never been used in a production car, and the result is "instant, significant, lag-free acceleration." Autocar reports that the Black S is based on the range-topping Q60 Red Sport 400, which has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 400 horsepower, but the combined electric motor will boost that to around 500 horsepower. You can certainly see the Formula One team's inspiration in the striking design. Enhancing the aerodynamics of the Project Black S is a complete redesign of the body, with new aggressive front and rear bumpers with added downforce, as well as new side-skirts and working air vents in the hood and front wings.

It also has massive "blued" titanium tailpipes and unique 21-inch alloys to give it more presence. "Infiniti is the premium car manufacturer within the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and a technical partner to the Renault Sport Formula One Team, so it is natural that we come together to explore the possibility of bringing innovative high-performance hybrid technology to our customers," said President of Infiniti Roland Krueger. "Infiniti has constantly led the way in making innovative new powertrain technology available, and we're extremely excited by the potential of Project Black S."