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Infiniti Australia keen on Q60 performance hero

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Suggesting a radical reinterpretation of the INFINITI Q60 coupe, the Project Black S features a stand-out, aerodynamically-optimized new design. It also hints at how a performance hybrid powertrain – developed in close collaboration with the Renault Sport Formula One Team – could significantly enhance the performance and dynamics of an INFINITI production car.

Infiniti Cars Australia has voiced its desire for a high-end performance flagship version of its Q60 coupe to take on the heavy-hitters from BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG.

Speaking with CarAdvice at the launch of the flagship Q60 Red Sport this week, Bernard Michel, product planning manager for Infiniti’s local arm, said despite previous comments that there would be no rival for the Mercedes-AMG C63 or BMW M4 anytime soon, the company would really like such a model in Australia.

“Undoubtedly it builds aspiration in the brand to have a high-end performance car,” he said.

“That would really assist the brand locally, given the appetite for performance cars. If it was on the table and was available, we’d definitely get it.”

Suggesting a radical reinterpretation of the INFINITI Q60 coupe, the Project Black S features a stand-out, aerodynamically-optimized new design. It also hints at how a performance hybrid powertrain – developed in close collaboration with the Renault Sport Formula One Team – could significantly enhance the performance and dynamics of an INFINITI production car.

A preview for such a model was seen in the Q60 Project Black S concept (pictured) revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show, which employed a similar hybrid drive system to that used by the Renault Formula One race car.

Such a system was claimed by the UK’s Autocar to develop around 373kW of power – a substantial increase over the 298kW twin-turbo V6 offered in the Q60 Red Sport, and right up there with the 375kW bi-turbo V8 used in the Mercedes-AMG C63 S.

While Michel couldn’t confirm whether an AMG-rivalling Infiniti would arrive anytime soon, he added all kinds of performance models – such as a hypercar – are under consideration for the Japanese marque.

“Every possibility is being explored for the portfolio. A [hypercar] could certainly be an opportunity, you never know,” he said.

Suggesting a radical reinterpretation of the INFINITI Q60 coupe, the Project Black S features a stand-out, aerodynamically-optimized new design. It also hints at how a performance hybrid powertrain – developed in close collaboration with the Renault Sport Formula One Team – could significantly enhance the performance and dynamics of an INFINITI production car.

For now, customers will have to make do with the Q60 Red Sport, which features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 developing 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a conventional seven-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter, with 0-100km/h taking around 5.0 seconds – though no official time has been released.

MORE: Q60 3.0t Red Sport review
MORE: Infiniti Q60 won’t get C63 and M4 rival
MORE: Infiniti Q60 Project Black S revealed in Geneva
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