Infiniti Revs Up Dual-Hybrid Concept

Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti unveiled a sporty hybrid concept car on Monday ahead of this week’s Paris auto show.

Based on the Q60 coupe, the Project Black S prototype features a Formula One-style hybrid architecture. The so-called dual-hybrid system enables the vehicle to recapture energy during both braking and acceleration, whereas most production hybrid vehicles do this only during braking.

In addition to the hybrid’s electric motor, the Project Black S concept uses a pair of generators on the engine's twin electric turbochargers to capture otherwise lost heat energy from exhaust gases. The system stems from Infiniti’s collaboration with the Renault Sport F1 team.

The car’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine generates 400 hp. Combined output with the hybrid system is 563 hp and enables the car to sprint from zero to 62 mph in less than four seconds.

To minimize the additional 440 lbs added by the hybrid system, the Black S prototype uses a variety of carbon fiber parts in place of steel. They include the hood, trunk lid, fenders and roof. The basic design builds on the Project Black S design study car that was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva auto show.