KITT in Knight Rider 2008

In the new Knight Rider 2008, KITT is not a black Pontiac Trans AM any more, but a black Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR. Here you can find further details about the new prodigy car.

In the productions, there are three versions of the new KITT:

• Hero Version
  This version commanded, with his 540 PS-motor, a real power pack under the engine bonnet. Outward, the vehicle in the Hero Version is fairly unremarkable – in case that one can say, that a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR is unremarkable. Even the dashboard and the interior equipment are unspectacular.
  Here are some information about the physical vehicle (based on auction accounts): The “hero”- KITT is based on a black Ford Mustang Shelby GT 550 KR, (4.6 litres) and has been equipped with a Ford Racing Whipple amplifier, to reach up to 500 PS. The car is endued with some 6-Cock Brembro- Brakes, FRC500 attachment, High Flow Ford Racing X-Pipe and a Ford Racing silencer with high quality steel attachment. KITT’s bodyshell consists of glass fibre and the prominent red scanner on the engine bonnet. The Shelby has got individual dampers fore and aft and matt black Le-Mans-Stripes. Furthermore, the vehicle possesses a GT500KR spoiler and 20 inch forged aluminium rims (8 ½” in front, 10” rear) The in-cabin room has been completely reconstructed with elements, which shall designate the “Supercar” –charisma of KITT.
  Predominant, this vehicle was constructed for Stunts and close-up views. In professional circles it is marked as “Hero” or “Picture Car”. These are vehicles, looking like a perfect dream, and which are mostly used for close-up views. For the stunt scenes, some vessels are specifically invested.
• Remote-Version
  Also the new KITT is able to drive without driver. Due to the sophisticated technology it is not necessary any more to build a reconstructed car with a hidden driver. Today all you need is a remote-control.
• Attack-Version
  The attack version pursues the intention that KITT has a very awesome appearance. Unlike to the other types, it is not only optically modified, but also has a lowered centre of gravity. KITT looks as dangerously as a cobra.
  Here are some information about the physical vehicle (based on auction accounts): It is about a black Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR (4.6 litres) with automatic overdrive transaxle and a special radiator grille, Carbon Graphit Spoiler, sideways airings, special side panels, double-stage spoilers, special backlight, flashers and passing light and 20 inch aluminium rims (8 ½ “ in front, 10” rear). The vehicle possesses a Brembro Brake, FRC Suspension Pak and Ford Racing Silencer with high-quality steel attachment. This vessel was designed by Harald Belker (www.haraldbelker.com). , who is well-known in the entertainment area. He composed the Batmobil and his creations can be also admired in films like Armageddon, Spiderman, Superman or TripleX.
  

KITT's Design

It was the purpose of the new creation of KITT, that the car looks more aggressive. Coeval, it has to be realistic, believable and not exaggerated. It shall to keep most of the origin design of the Ford Mustang Shelby. That should be connected to the fact that Ford buys himself in to place the Shelby (Product Placement, a few words on iTVX.net) and emphasised that KITT looks like a Ford. Simply the Attack-Version has been shifted – but that was only for amusement. The structures of a Ford Mustang Shelby should be mostly preserved. Some of the marketing experts sense a danger for the label Ford Mustang in case, whether the film shall bomb.

Given that the Ford Mustang Shelby does not exist yet, it first has been finished. Six employees of Galpin Auto Sports, a well-known company for special cars, operated day and night, but within one week, the base has been finished. Afterwards, it has been transported to Picture Car Warehouse, who completed KITT as we all know him. For the pilot, a total of 6 KITT cars have been built by 25 workers.

KITT’s Voice

In the American version Val Kilmer, a well-known actor (Batman Forever, Heat, Top Gun) is the new voice of KITT. Initially, they intended Will Arrnett, who gave his voice in the first trailers, but due to contractual problems, he had to drop out. (Will Arnett has got indentures with General Motors, a concurrent of Ford, who makes a Product Placement in the new Knight Rider film.) Moreover, his voice can not cope with KITT.

In the film, KITT’s voice is of higher value. It does not sound as a tinny computer voice. The voice is very calm and cool – just fitting to 2008. And fortunately, KITT did not loose anything of his famous and favoured humour or his analytic apprehension.

It is unidentified until now, who will give his voice to KITT in the German version. But German fans will adapt to a new voice, because Gottfried Kramer, the versant and friendly voice from the 80’s, died in June 1994.

Something that is worth knowing about KITT from the film

KITT’s licence number is the Californian 5QCH037, valid until December. When KITT is morphing, he gets the Idaho licence number 6UB43E1. In the last scene, KITT has got a double spaced licence number, which is not looking like an American one. In the lower line you can see “8112”. Does it is a film failure? Did they forget the right licence number? In the high-speed mode KITT does not possesses any numbers.
KITT has to be filled up with conventional motor fuel, but he has the possibility, to recycle 91 % of his consumed energy, which allows him to go up to 160 miles with one gallon. That corresponds to consumption of 1.3 litres / 100km.
KITT’s voice module is not permanently installed but appears in the multi-functional display. Here, the module is able to appear at different positions.
When KITT is deactivated, he is vulnerable like every car. In this case, the driver has to control on his own. For this purpose a pedal backs out and a shift stick pops out of the central console. The red scanner is off. By laying hands on the multi-function display, authorized persons may reactivate KITT. As a protection against invaders, KITT includes two firewalls.
Indeed, KITT has not been completely finished. Some of his functions are not just yet available.

Further information about KITT in the new series

For the new Knight Rider series a new Attack Version of KITT was built. This version looks most aggressive. Furthermore, some man of action visited the Microsoft labours to catch up on the new realistic trends of the future. KITT will be developed from week to week, and always show more functions. In this connection these will be added less mechanically like in the 80’s. With the new KITT, it suffices the reprogramming of his system. It is established now, that he will be able to mutate into a truck. Furthermore, his windscreen will be used also as a monitor, which is able to bring out objects and allows you to intervene. His voice module is no longer as in the film component of an I-Phone-similar multi-function display but a bowl within the dashboard. It is clear, that KITT needs an attendance station as the Foundation needs a headquarters. In the original series, it has been Semi, in the film it has been a plane. Now, there will be a KITT Cave. This is a kind of a hollow according to the Batman movies. There, KITT will be maintained and programmed. Together, this will be the control room, too.

So far known Configuration / Functions of KITT (2008):

• red scanner at the front nose
• Auto Cruise – Drive without driver
• Firewall-Hacking
• Bodyshell from nano-technology and nearly invulnerable
• Weapons on board by default
• Lowered in the Attack-Mode due to hover cushion

Here you will find a notional comparison of the functions of KITT, based on the TransAM and the Ford Mustang Shelby.

The new KITT introduced in a video on youtube.com:

More videos and pictures about the new Knight Rider film at trailers/pictures

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