Infiniti to bring F1 two-mode hybrid to the road

Infiniti is set to join Mercedes-Benz as the only manufacturers to use two-mode F1-style hybrid technology in a road car.

But unlike the Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar, the two-mode hybrid model that Infiniti is proposing will seat four in comfort and be based on an existing mass-market model.

It could be on sale by 2020.

Last year the Japanese luxury/performance brand stated it would use high-output hybrid technology in a range-topping performance variant of the Q60 coupe.

An experimental version of the Q60-based Infiniti Project Black S concept shown at last year's Geneva motor show is now expected to break cover later this year, with first media drives as soon as early next year.

Infiniti is Renault's hybrid technology partner for F1. The marque’s Director of Global Product Strategy and Motorsport, Tommaso Volpe, told motoring.com.au that the Black S intended to “close the loop” between infiniti’s F1 collaboration and its road cars.

Crucially, to do so, Volpe says the car will feature both kinetic and heat energy recuperation. This is the same two-mode hybrid technology as used in F1 cars and the Mercedes-AMG hypercar under development.

Previously it was reported the Black S would use kinetic recovery only. F1 heat recovery systems typically use a generator linked to the turbocharger.

Volpe says Infiniti expects to have its first running Q60 Black S in October.

"The new car is not confirmed for production but it is intended to [make it to the streets]," Volpe said.

Speaking on the eve of the Melbourne opening round of the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship, Volpe confirmed the design for the Black S’ two-mode hybrid system was finalised just three weeks ago. Technology suppliers have been engaged, he said.

He says the Black S will produce at least 25 per cent more power than the current top-spec twin-turbo Q60 S Red Sport. That would indicate an output of 370kW-plus.

Among the performance targets for the new two-mode hybrid Q60 is a 0-100km/h time of less than four seconds. That's close to a one-second improvement over the current car’s 4.8sec.

Volpe also said the Q60 Black S would eschew the marque’s controversial and unloved steer-by-wire system. It would, however, adopt brake-by-wire technology similar to the current crop of F1 cars.

Dynamic testing of the vehicle is expected to begin in November. Renault’s F1 drivers including Nico Hulkenberg will be involved in this aspect of the car’s development, Volpe said.

"This technology is very important for Infiniti," Volpe said.

“We want to excel and not just in terms of speed. Sophistication is important, and we want to replicate a product that is intelligent and gives the driver the choice of how to use the car.

To this end, Volpe said the Q60 Black S would use "something like a qualifying mode and something like a race mode".

He said that if the Q60 Black S makes it to production, first sales are not expected until 2020.

"We still need to validate the technology -- this does not come easily. The process is not immediate and we don't want to say we will build and sell the car until we really know we can do it,” Volpe told motoring.com.au.

Unlike the proposed GT-R engined Q50 Eau Rouge, the Q60 Black S is targeted for right-hand drive markets.

And that means Australia.

“We would be knocking on every door we needed to to make sure we get it,” an enthused Nissan and Infiniti Australia CEO, Stephen Lester, told motoring.com.au.