Usain Bolt Adds Nissan GT-R to His Garage
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has purchased a new Nissan GT-R, opting for the 2013 model with its uprated 545hp engine and all-wheel-drive performance.
Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has acquired a new Nissan GT-R, selecting the 2013 model year version of the Japanese supercar. Bolt, then 26, was already known for his love of fast cars, having previously owned a BMW M3. The move to the GT-R places him firmly in the supercar league, both in terms of performance and international profile.
The 2013 Nissan GT-R introduced several refinements over its predecessor, but the headline change was a power increase. The hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 now produces 545hp and 627Nm of torque, an increase of 15hp and 20Nm over the previous year. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, allowing the GT-R to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in under three seconds, depending on conditions.
Why Bolt chose the GT-R
Bolt’s choice of the GT-R follows a series of incidents with his previous car, a BMW M3, including at least one well-publicised crash. The Nissan offers a different proposition: more power, advanced all-wheel drive and a reputation for forgiving handling at the limit. For a driver with a taste for speed but not a professional racing background, the GT-R’s electronic aids and stability systems provide a safety net that few rivals can match at a similar price point.
Nissan’s GT-R has long been celebrated for delivering supercar-level performance at a relatively accessible price. In the United States, the 2013 model started at $96,820 before options and taxes. This made it a rival to much more expensive European sports cars, while offering a unique blend of technology and everyday usability. Bolt’s purchase underlines the GT-R’s appeal beyond traditional enthusiast circles, attracting high-profile owners from the world of sport and entertainment.
GT-R’s technical highlights
- 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine
- 545hp and 627Nm torque (2013 model year)
- Six-speed dual-clutch transmission
- All-wheel drive with advanced stability systems
- 0-60mph in under 3 seconds (manufacturer figures)
Bolt’s move to the GT-R comes at a time when the car’s reputation for accessible speed was at its peak. The model’s blend of raw acceleration, technical sophistication and daily usability continues to distinguish it in a crowded supercar market. For Bolt, whose professional life is defined by fractions of a second, the GT-R’s performance credentials are likely to have been a major draw.
Nissan’s relationship with Bolt would later deepen, with the company naming him a global ambassador and even producing a one-off gold-painted GT-R for charity. At the time of this purchase, however, Bolt was simply a high-profile customer choosing a car that matched his appetite for speed.
