A gold Nissan GT-R, signed by gold medal winner Usain Bolt, proved amongst the biggest draws for Nissan alongside the 2014MY Patrol at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show.
[Not a valid template]A special edition Gold GT-R, commemorating and signed by 100m and 200m world record holder Usain Bolt proved one of Nissan’s biggest crowd pullers during the opening days of the Dubai Motor Show.
Though technically unaltered from the standard 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 GT-R on which the special edition model is based, the Bolt GT-R boasts a distinctive gold paint finish in deference to the Jamaican athlete’s – and Nissan’s director of excitement (yes, that is genuinely his title) – Olympic gold medal winning performances and his signature across the bonnet. The Dubai Motor Show is just one stop during the gold GT-R’s regional tour.
Nissan is also displaying a Special Midnight Opal edition GT-R alongside its gold alter-ego in Dubai. Limited to just 100 units worldwide, the Midnight Opal showcases individually layered Midnight Opal paint (a time-consuming process that makes the surface sparkle), a dry carbon fibre rear spoiler and a gold plaque in deference to the coupe’s limited stature. Nissan’s new Patrol Black Special Edition meanwhile completes the marque’s exclusive vehicles on display at the Motor Show. Based on the brand new 2014MY Patrol – which took centre stage on Nissan’s stand across the event’s opening days – the Black includes a Black Matte Exterior, Matte Black Front Grille & Rear Gate Handle Garnish, a special alloy wheel and red leather seats. The Patrol Black is limited to just 200 examples.
As part of Nissan’s continued drive towards green motoring, the LEAF hatchback (Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable Family vehicle), Pathfinder Hybrid and Smart Hybrid Taxi Concept are also front and centre. Powered by a 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder engine that breathes fresh air to the engine bay, the Pathfinder Hybrid represents what Nissan calls ‘the next gen’ SUV. The Smart Hybrid Taxi Concept meanwhile – based on the established NV200 transit van – uses the company’s established S-Hybrid powertrain for more refined public transport.
The LEAF meanwhile – Nissan’s first 100 per cent electric, mass production family car – makes us of an 80kWsychornous electric motor and boasts an improved range of 199km (up from 175km) thanks to battery and charger updates. First launched in 2010, top speed is a respectable 144kph while 0-100kph is done in 11.5 seconds. As a further nod to Nissan’s technological and green motoring acumen, the Nissan Altima on-stand demonstrated the latest version of Nissan Connect. Now into its fifth generation, the system is a global smartphone integration platform that allows drivers and passengers to stay connected whilst on the move.
Another, slightly more enigmatic system also on stage with Nissan was the company’s GT Academy simulator.
Nissan’s line-up at the Dubai Motor Show was bolstered by the 370Z coupe and its roadster variant, the former of which crankandpiston.com took for a spin and a modified version of which we brought you news of earlier this month. Also on-hand were the company’s Micra, Sentra, Tiida, Maxima, X-Terra mainstays, as well as the Juke, a model of which crankandpiston.com recruited to the Management Fleet last year.
