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New F1-powered Infiniti Concept To Be Shown At Geneva Motor Show

Infiniti has revealed its second attempt at developing a high-performance coupe to take on the likes of the BMW M4 and Mercedes-Benz C63. Nissan's luxury arm has released details of its Q60 Project Black S ahead of its official unveiling


Infiniti has revealed its second attempt at developing a high-performance coupe to take on the likes of the BMW M4 and Mercedes-Benz C63.

Nissan's luxury arm has released details of its Q60 Project Black S ahead of its official unveiling at the 2017 Geneva motor show this week.

Based on the recently-released Q60 coupe, the car eschews the Nissan GT-R drivetrain of its stillborn predecessor, the Q50 Eau Rogue sedan, and turns to the Renault Sport Formula One team to adopt a road-going application of its hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS).

It has yet to outline full details of how the petrol-electric powertrain operates, with which combustion it is integrated with and any estimated power outputs but confirms it is looking at developing the system for a future production car application.

"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 technology to our customers," said Infiniti President 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."

What is clear from the initial images released by Infiniti is that the car features an aggressive overhaul of the Q60's sleek body shape with new front and rear bumpers, wider front and rear tracks and a large boot-mounted rear spoiler.

The front end features large air intake apertures flanking a deep chin spoiler and a bonnet with two large outlets, indicating the car requires significant cooling properties to achieve its performance.

The rear end incorporates sharp-edged extensions to the guards and an F1-style diffuser with two large central exhaust pipes.

Reports indicate the Project  Black S features an uprated version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that already powers the range-topping Q60 Red Sport. With the adoption of the lightweight ERS, that captures energy under braking and releases it quickly under acceleration, it has been suggested the Project Black S could produce in excess of the benchmark 375kW generated by the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in the C63 S Coupe.

Infiniti is due to reveal more details for the Project Black S when the Geneva motor show opens Tuesday.

MORE: Infiniti News and Reviews

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