Nissan’s move to hybridize high-performance powertrains take a step closer with the completion of track-focused development in Austria. No less than Renault F1 driver Nico Hülkenberg put two Infiniti Project Black S prototypes through their paces at the Salzburgring in Austria.

Inspired by Formula 1 technology, Nissan / Infiniti’s dual-hybrid powertrain combines the 400-horsepower VR30 twin-turbo V6 engine with two energy harvesting system that develop electricity from acceleration (MGU-H) and braking (MGU-K). With that, power is up to 563 horsepower—or 40 percent higher than the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 on which the Project Black S cars are based on. More than that, this unique hybrid performance is sustainable enabling the Project Black S cars to deliver electrically-assisted acceleration lap after lap.

Apart from being a powertrain testbed, the Infiniti Project Black S also enables Nissan’s luxury brand to test and optimize parts such as aerodynamic aids, brakes, and suspension.

Currently, Infiniti is still mulling whether or not they will release a road-going version of the Project Black S (they expect to make a final decision by the end of the year). Regardless, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that Nissan will very well use this high-performance dual-hybrid system to power their next-generation GT-R which is expected to bow, at least in concept form, as early as the Tokyo Motor Show later this year.