2013 Nissan GT-R Bolt-Performance

Usain Bolt 'Goes for Gold' with Nissan

•World's fastest man to help develop 'Bolt-performance' GT-R
•Olympic champion extends brand ambassador role as 'Director of Excitement'
•Únique Gold GT-R, inspired by medal-winner, to be auctioned for Úsain Bolt Foundation
Úsain Bolt, the world's fastest man and champion Olympic sprinter, is targeting another record-breaking performance by offering his passion and performance instincts to the Nissan team developing a special 'Bolt' version GT-R.

Following his world records and medal-horde at the London Olympiad, Bolt today signed a special deal with Nissan Motor Co, Ltd, to extend his role as brand ambassador for the 196-mph GT-R and to become honorary 'Director of Excitement' for the company's ambitious global marketing drive.

Bolt, appearing at Nissan's world headquarters, said: 'Racing is my inspiration, and I want to help Nissan become an even more exciting brand for everyone.'

Toshiyuki Shiga, Chief Operating Officer, welcomed Bolt's endorsement and deepening ties with Nissan - where he became a brand spokesman on the eve of the London Games. 'Nissan shares the spirit of excitement that captivated worldwide audiences at the Olympics. There is no-one better qualified than Úsain Bolt to help us translate that spirit into great experiences,' said Shiga.

In recognition of Bolt's contribution to sports and his automotive enthusiasm, Nissan's Chief Operating Officer unveiled a unique gold-painted GT-R, which will be auctioned to benefit the Úsain Bolt Foundation (http://usainbolt.com/foundation/).

Proceeds from the online auction, details which will be announced later in October, will help the foundation's work creating educational and cultural opportunities for children and young people in the Olympic Champion's home country of Jamaica.

The one-off GT-R, to be auctioned on the eBay online auction platform, will be embossed with Bolt's signature and bespoke interior fittings finished in real gold.

News of the deepening Nissan relationship coincides with Bolt's pledge to defend his titles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

As part of Bolt's partnership with Nissan, the sprinter today test-drove various GT-R models at the car company's proving ground near Oppama, Japan, where his reaction times, acceleration and other handling capabilities will be used in developing a special 'Bolt GT-R' for his personal use.

Additionally, Bolt will start work with Nissan product specialists on a limited-edition version which can be ordered in markets where GT-R is available. Details of this project will be announced at a later stage.

Bolt, who was collected from Tokyo's Narita Airport in a GT-R driven by F1 racer Mark Webber, is expected to contribute further to Nissan's 'WHAT IF_' global brand campaign.

The campaign, featuring Nissan's iconic products and breakthrough technologies in billboards at airports around the world, forms part of the company's Power 88 mid-term business plan - aimed at capturing 8 per cent market share and 8 per cent operating margins.

To continue building brand momentum at Nissan, TV commercials featuring the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, called 'What if you could drive the future, today?', will also be aired via six major international TV networks starting in October 2012.

Earlier this year, Interbrand reported Nissan's rise in its latest report of the world's Top 100 brands: '2012 Best Global Brands'. In the ranking, Nissan rose 13 places on the prior-year report to rank 73rd in global brand value.

Source - Nissan

'BOLT GOLD' NISSAN GT-R CHARITY AUCTION TO START NOV. 22

•Nissan to offer a specially gold-painted 2013* (MY14 for ÚS market) model year GT-R Premium Edition via charity auction
•Auction begins November 22
•Nissan to produce only one 'Bolt Gold' GT-R specifically for this online charity auction
•100% of the charity auction's proceeds to go to the Úsain Bolt Foundation

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Úsain Bolt, the world's fastest man, is taking his passion for speed and performance, and his desire to help others, and applying them to charity. A unique 2013 model year 'Bolt Gold' GT-R will go to the highest bidder in a global online charity auction to be held on eBay from November 22 to December 2, 2012.
The highest bidder in the charity auction will become the owner of the one-of-a-kind 'Bolt Gold' GT-R, a 2013 model year Nissan GT-R painted the same gold color that left a lasting impression on Olympic champion Úsain Bolt at a fan appreciation event hosted by Nissan in Yokohama on October 11. All proceeds from the charity auction will benefit the Úsain Bolt Foundation, which was established to support educational and cultural opportunities for children and young people in Bolt's home country of Jamaica.

Úsain Bolt teamed up with Nissan in June 2012 as a brand ambassador, and he recently became the company's honorary 'Director of Excitement' for the new Nissan 'What IF_' global brand campaign. As part of this expanded partnership with Bolt, Nissan is preparing a special 2013 model year Premium Edition GT-R, painted 'Bolt Gold', for the charity auction. The car will feature a gold plate embossed with Bolt's signature and his autograph.

It will be built to the performance specifications conforming to regulations in the winning bidder's country of residence. Nissan plans to deliver the car to the winner in March 2013.

The car will be auctioned on eBay Motors please see the eBay Storefront page at www.NissanGoldGTRAuction.com. The online listing can be accessed by people in regions around the world, and bidding will be open to residents in countries where the Nissan GT-R is currently sold. Bidding is set to begin at 12:00 GMT on Thursday, November 22, and ends at 11:59 GMT on Sunday, December 2. Bids will be limited to residents of countries where the GT-R is currently sold. Please refer to the corresponding Nissan Global Facebook page at: www.nissan-global.com/EN/GoldGTR/ for more information, including FAQs and applicable regions.

All proceeds from the online charity auction will go directly to the Úsain Bolt Foundation (http://usainbolt.com/foundation/), established by Bolt to give back to his community and help children in Jamaica.

'This project excites me because it brings together my passion for speed and excellence, and my desire to help kids and young people,' said Úsain Bolt. 'Thanks to Nissan, all the revenue from the GT-R charity auction will be donated to the Úsain Bolt Foundation, which will go directly to children to help develop their education and allow them to participate in sports. It warms my heart to help kids and young people who are in the starting blocks of life, and it would be wonderful if someday this activity leads to a 'Second Bolt.''

Source - Nissan