Infiniti Project Black S Takes Another Step Forward

Infiniti and Renault F1 Team have finished the main development stage of their highly-efficient, dual-hybrid powertrain designed for the Infiniti Project Black S prototype.

This project was launched 2.5 years ago- the first Infinity Q60 Black S show car was presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2017. Last year in Paris, the project team presented the first driving prototype, and now it is reported about the completion of the main development stage. Currently, the project engineers have two running models of the Infinity Project Black coupe, built in cooperation with the Renault F1 racing team. Driving refinement of the both prototypes is performed on the technical base of Renault in Salzburg, Austria. However, it is said that the process of testing and components validation hasn’t been finished yet.

The main objective of this endeavor was to examine the possible applications of sophisticated electrification solutions and development processes based on solutions implemented in racing cars. The working prototype has combined features of road and racing cars. The test vehicle is produced on the basis of the Infiniti Q60 sports coupe.

The powertrain unit is equipped with the ERS system, designed on the basis of F-1 technologies. The main propulsive thrust comes from the V6 3.0 gasoline Bi-Turbo engine (405 hp), but it also has motor-generators like in F-1 cars. Two MGU-H units are driven by supercharger impellers and generate electricity during acceleration, and the MGU-K unit is installed on the rear reduction unit: during chop deceleration and braking, it works in recuperation mode and generates electricity, and during speed-up it helps the gasoline engine. Thus, Project Black S can be considered as a unique prototype.

All the powertrain's power is transferred through a seven-speed automatic transmission to the back wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential. It is claimed that the working prototype can accelerate up to 62 mph in just 4 seconds.

The company promises that the decision on the small-scale production possibility will be made by the end of 2019. But regardless of the decision, the experience gained on this initiative won’t be in vain, as it can be used for creation of other hybrid models, and not only under the Infinity brand. Renault specialists also gained valuable experience in adapting racing technologies to production cars.