Under the Hood With Knight Rider 2.0: Trans Am vs. Ford Mustang [Popular Mechanics]
12-31-2007, 11:52 AM
#1
Under the Hood With Knight Rider 2.0: Trans Am vs. Ford Mustang [Popular Mechanics] http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...s/4237588.html
By Chuck Tannert
Photographs Courtesy of NBC
Published on: December 20, 2007
If you were a child of the 1980s, or are just a fan of very-late-night cable television, then you've most likely seen Michael Knight (played by a pre-Baywatch David Hasselhoff) and his chatty supercar sidekick, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), do battle with bad guys on the small-screen action-adventure show Knight Rider.
At first glance, KITT appeared to be a sporty 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, fresh off the assembly line. But thanks to a little Hollywood razzle-dazzle, the car transformed into a virtually indestructible machine—possessed with advanced artificial intelligence that allowed it to accept voice control commands, interact with "The Hoff" and make decisions on its own. In fact, the car's AI was so advanced that KITT formed a kind of personality, which is what has endeared the "car" to millions of auto geeks in a way the Batmobile never could be. But when the show was shelved in 1986, so was KITT.
Last week, NBC unveiled an all-new, controversial KITT, which is set to star in the made-for-TV Knight Rider movie in February. Based on the still-to-be-released Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR (click here for engine-revving video), this virtual Stang comes tricked out with a supercomputer that can hack almost any system; a very capable weapons system; and a body—thanks to nanotechnology—that's able to shape-shift and change color at will. Like its predecessor, the 21st century KITT gets AI from digital effects wizards that makes it an ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and infinitely smart.
Designer Harald Belker, who has created the Batmobile for Batman and Robin and a next-gen space shuttle for Armageddon, came onboard to give the new KITT. a unique look. "The goal was to make it look more aggressive without being hokey or garish," Belker says. "Maintaining as much of the original beauty of the Shelby as possible was important—and not just because of the Ford connection. It had to be simple yet believable as a superhero." Once his vision was set, Belker turned to Ted Moser from Picture Car Warehouse to make his drawings come to life. But there was one big hurdle: The GT500KR doesn't technically exist quite yet. "So we had to finish their design first," Moser says. "Then we brought in a prop maker to create side skirts and spoilers out of wood, smooth them out, and sent them to a fiberglass shop to make molds. Once the parts are formed from those molds, we finish them and attach them to the car."
One of the cooler features of the Mustang KITT is air-ride suspension, which allows its driver to lower the car's ride height when the vehicle morphs from Hero to Attack mode. "When it goes on the offensive, it gets slammed to the ground," Moser chuckles. Very aggressive, indeed. There will be three models used in filming: Hero (essentially a stock GT500KR); Attack (the tricked-out model); and Remote Control (operated via RC, obviously). "All of the ‘transforming' will be done through CGI animation like in the Transformers movie," Moser admits. (Click here for behind-the-scenes digital wizardry from this summer's blockbuster flick.)
For all you Trans Am holdouts, Mustang droolers and Hasselhoff haters, here's the very first look at all of the new KITT's gee-whiz specs and functionality, matched up to the original to determine which is better equipped for Hollywood crime-fighting.
KITT vs. KITT Spec Breakdown!
KNIGHT INDUSTRIES TWO THOUSAND: 1982 Pontiac Trans Am
Vehicle Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Knight Industries turbojet with modified afterburners
Transmission: Eight-speed microprocessor turbodrive with autopilot
Price New: $11,400,000 (est.)
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 0.2 seconds with power boosters. Standing quarter mile: 4.286 seconds
Braking (70 to 0 mph): 14 ft.
Fuel Economy: Classified, but thought to be 200 mpg
KNIGHT INDUSTRIES THREE THOUSAND: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR
Vehicle Type: Front engine, on-demand all-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Aluminum block/titanium heads 5.4-liter V8 internal combustion with Whipple supercharger and Knight Industries liquid air cycle auxiliary turbine engine. 540 hp in Hero mode. Power output can’t be measured in Attack mode.
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with infinite power band
Price New: $45.6 million, as tested
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 1.77 seconds. Standing quarter mile: 3.87 seconds
Braking (300 to 0 mph): 12 ft.
Fuel Economy: Not testable http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf...20kitt_1058757
By Chuck Tannert
Photographs Courtesy of NBC
Published on: December 20, 2007
If you were a child of the 1980s, or are just a fan of very-late-night cable television, then you've most likely seen Michael Knight (played by a pre-Baywatch David Hasselhoff) and his chatty supercar sidekick, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), do battle with bad guys on the small-screen action-adventure show Knight Rider.
At first glance, KITT appeared to be a sporty 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, fresh off the assembly line. But thanks to a little Hollywood razzle-dazzle, the car transformed into a virtually indestructible machine—possessed with advanced artificial intelligence that allowed it to accept voice control commands, interact with "The Hoff" and make decisions on its own. In fact, the car's AI was so advanced that KITT formed a kind of personality, which is what has endeared the "car" to millions of auto geeks in a way the Batmobile never could be. But when the show was shelved in 1986, so was KITT.
Last week, NBC unveiled an all-new, controversial KITT, which is set to star in the made-for-TV Knight Rider movie in February. Based on the still-to-be-released Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR (click here for engine-revving video), this virtual Stang comes tricked out with a supercomputer that can hack almost any system; a very capable weapons system; and a body—thanks to nanotechnology—that's able to shape-shift and change color at will. Like its predecessor, the 21st century KITT gets AI from digital effects wizards that makes it an ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and infinitely smart.
Designer Harald Belker, who has created the Batmobile for Batman and Robin and a next-gen space shuttle for Armageddon, came onboard to give the new KITT. a unique look. "The goal was to make it look more aggressive without being hokey or garish," Belker says. "Maintaining as much of the original beauty of the Shelby as possible was important—and not just because of the Ford connection. It had to be simple yet believable as a superhero." Once his vision was set, Belker turned to Ted Moser from Picture Car Warehouse to make his drawings come to life. But there was one big hurdle: The GT500KR doesn't technically exist quite yet. "So we had to finish their design first," Moser says. "Then we brought in a prop maker to create side skirts and spoilers out of wood, smooth them out, and sent them to a fiberglass shop to make molds. Once the parts are formed from those molds, we finish them and attach them to the car."
One of the cooler features of the Mustang KITT is air-ride suspension, which allows its driver to lower the car's ride height when the vehicle morphs from Hero to Attack mode. "When it goes on the offensive, it gets slammed to the ground," Moser chuckles. Very aggressive, indeed. There will be three models used in filming: Hero (essentially a stock GT500KR); Attack (the tricked-out model); and Remote Control (operated via RC, obviously). "All of the ‘transforming' will be done through CGI animation like in the Transformers movie," Moser admits. (Click here for behind-the-scenes digital wizardry from this summer's blockbuster flick.)
For all you Trans Am holdouts, Mustang droolers and Hasselhoff haters, here's the very first look at all of the new KITT's gee-whiz specs and functionality, matched up to the original to determine which is better equipped for Hollywood crime-fighting.
KITT vs. KITT Spec Breakdown!
KNIGHT INDUSTRIES TWO THOUSAND: 1982 Pontiac Trans Am
Vehicle Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Knight Industries turbojet with modified afterburners
Transmission: Eight-speed microprocessor turbodrive with autopilot
Price New: $11,400,000 (est.)
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 0.2 seconds with power boosters. Standing quarter mile: 4.286 seconds
Braking (70 to 0 mph): 14 ft.
Fuel Economy: Classified, but thought to be 200 mpg
KNIGHT INDUSTRIES THREE THOUSAND: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR
Vehicle Type: Front engine, on-demand all-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Aluminum block/titanium heads 5.4-liter V8 internal combustion with Whipple supercharger and Knight Industries liquid air cycle auxiliary turbine engine. 540 hp in Hero mode. Power output can’t be measured in Attack mode.
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with infinite power band
Price New: $45.6 million, as tested
Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 1.77 seconds. Standing quarter mile: 3.87 seconds
Braking (300 to 0 mph): 12 ft.
Fuel Economy: Not testable
KILMER TO VOICE KITT
Val Kilmer has been drafted in to replace Will Arnett as the voice of KITT the car in the TV remake of Knight Rider.
According to Variety, Arrested Development star Arnett has been forced to withdraw from the project, set to debut on US network NBC on February 17th, due to a dispute between carmakers.
Despite Arnett's dulcet tones being put to great use in Ratatouille - as chef Horst - and on the trailer directed by Edgar Wright for Grindhouse, they will not be heard in the updated version of Knight Rider, thanks to a contractual conflict of interest.
Arnett has performed over a decade of voiceover work for General Motors, but the part of KITT the car is 'played' by a Ford Mustang in the new show and Ford are also heavily involved in the pilot's marketing.
And the Blades of Glory star has confirmed that General Motors asked him to step down from the TV movie due to Ford's involvement.
"I was very excited at the prospect of playing the part of KITT in the new Knight Rider movie," he explained.
"However, because of a long relationship with General Motors as the voice of GMC Trucks, I had to respectfully withdraw from the project."
Kilmer - somewhat of a voiceover veteran - will now voice the talking car, while All My Children's Justin Bruening is to play the son of David Hasselhoff's original character Michael Knight.
Val Kilmer has been drafted in to replace Will Arnett as the voice of KITT the car in the TV remake of Knight Rider.
According to Variety, Arrested Development star Arnett has been forced to withdraw from the project, set to debut on US network NBC on February 17th, due to a dispute between carmakers.
Despite Arnett's dulcet tones being put to great use in Ratatouille - as chef Horst - and on the trailer directed by Edgar Wright for Grindhouse, they will not be heard in the updated version of Knight Rider, thanks to a contractual conflict of interest.
Arnett has performed over a decade of voiceover work for General Motors, but the part of KITT the car is 'played' by a Ford Mustang in the new show and Ford are also heavily involved in the pilot's marketing.
And the Blades of Glory star has confirmed that General Motors asked him to step down from the TV movie due to Ford's involvement.
"I was very excited at the prospect of playing the part of KITT in the new Knight Rider movie," he explained.
"However, because of a long relationship with General Motors as the voice of GMC Trucks, I had to respectfully withdraw from the project."
Kilmer - somewhat of a voiceover veteran - will now voice the talking car, while All My Children's Justin Bruening is to play the son of David Hasselhoff's original character Michael Knight.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 02-17-2008 at 07:34 PM.
12-31-2007, 03:38 PM
#2
From a technology standpoint, using a brand-new car makes sense. Since the newest 'bird they could use is a 2002, having state-of-the-art technology not yet available to the public in a 6 year-old car would look kind of odd to me. Using a 2008 model just makes more sense....even if it deters from the original story line and make/model of car.
01-02-2008, 05:09 PM
#5
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This sucks. I think they should have used the '02 Trans Am. But...I do agree with you on using a brand new car, so, they could atleast use the new Camaro concept!!
01-04-2008, 05:56 PM
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Oh well, I would have used a 2002 Trans Am. But, I do agree with y2k_ta about using a 2008 model instead of one that is 6 years old. A Concept Camaro or Pontiac G8 would have worked tho, I won't be watching the show.
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01-08-2008, 08:18 PM
#11
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They could have used a 93-02 T/A with some upgrades to make it look fresh and have a new K.I.T.T. A 93-2002 T/A looks more futuristic than any Mustang out there in my opinion. K.I.T.T. should be sleek not square. The new Corvette Z06 could have worked too, but a Mustang. What where they smoking? Back when the show aired, in 1982, I think, the main idea of the story was a car of the future and man with an unknown past that was like a lone ranger. The new Mustang is ok, but it definately does not look futuristic or new, they're everywhere. I don't get it.
01-08-2008, 09:18 PM
#12
I think it all boils down to **cough** **cough** MONEY **cough** **cough**
GM just had a dominant presence in the Transformers Movie, so I'm sure they weren't ready to shell out more for product endorsement. Shelby, however, can use it as a way to spread the word about his cars.
GM just had a dominant presence in the Transformers Movie, so I'm sure they weren't ready to shell out more for product endorsement. Shelby, however, can use it as a way to spread the word about his cars.
01-09-2008, 01:46 PM
#13
Check out the video all cars are shown and KITT does donuts
http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/james-hi...e_set_arne.php
http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/james-hi...e_set_arne.php
01-28-2008, 10:38 PM
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you know i was actually happy that Knight Rider was coming back! but then i found out it was a Mustang eh i will pass this go around i'm sorry but just not cool in my books.
y2k_ta----i agree why not use one of the last of the TA's? i 4 one tink they are the sickest looking. throw some "make-up" on it nad bam new Kitt!
I will be sure to watch this new show
y2k_ta----i agree why not use one of the last of the TA's? i 4 one tink they are the sickest looking. throw some "make-up" on it nad bam new Kitt!
I will be sure to watch this new show
01-28-2008, 11:25 PM
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its good to see that they are making Knight Rdier again, and i was pleasantly surprised to hear that it was a comedy! too bad it will only be one episode though.......
what else do you expect when you hear its a ford as the hero car...
i mean, the first time they get in a chase the motor will blow just as the tranny pukes all its fluid. then when the bad guys come up to the window as KITT is yellong for a helpful tow truck, the hero realizes that his SHATTER PROOF windows are just CORNING WEAR and the first hit from a bullet kills the crappy cast.
fade to black
credits
what else do you expect when you hear its a ford as the hero car...
i mean, the first time they get in a chase the motor will blow just as the tranny pukes all its fluid. then when the bad guys come up to the window as KITT is yellong for a helpful tow truck, the hero realizes that his SHATTER PROOF windows are just CORNING WEAR and the first hit from a bullet kills the crappy cast.
fade to black
credits
01-29-2008, 07:05 AM
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if they used a 4th gen T/a they would have thrown some ricey body kit on it to make it look "Futuristic" and than the show would suck. You guys have to remember a couple things...this isnt a Re-make of the original show, its Knight's son now so why not use something differant?? also, its about marketing and money. i can imagine Ford payed big bucks to have their KR in the show as did GM for Transformers.
im just hopin for 1 thing...that its a good show. look at the bright side, they could have used some type of futuristic lookin import and than it would've really sucked...lol.
Give it a chance...lets see what happens.
im just hopin for 1 thing...that its a good show. look at the bright side, they could have used some type of futuristic lookin import and than it would've really sucked...lol.
Give it a chance...lets see what happens.
01-31-2008, 02:57 PM
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very few younger people then me know what the older shows were all about i was just lucky enough to catch the re-runs
02-05-2008, 04:03 PM
#19
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LOL.... a 1982 car looks more modern than a 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 1982 car was faster and got 200mpg.... what in the hell is Knight Industries doing????
02-05-2008, 04:10 PM
#20
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They could have used a 93-02 T/A with some upgrades to make it look fresh and have a new K.I.T.T. A 93-2002 T/A looks more futuristic than any Mustang out there in my opinion. K.I.T.T. should be sleek not square. The new Corvette Z06 could have worked too, but a Mustang. What where they smoking? Back when the show aired, in 1982, I think, the main idea of the story was a car of the future and man with an unknown past that was like a lone ranger. The new Mustang is ok, but it definately does not look futuristic or new, they're everywhere. I don't get it.
