Knight Rider storms back, new K.I.T.T. showcased

We know, it's a little sad how dear Knight Rider is to our hearts, but honestly, we couldn't be more elated to find that the show is finally getting a new breath of life. Starting in February, an updated version of the classic will be hitting NBC, and while we could spend hours gushing over the cast, our eyes are fixed on the star pictured above. The new K.I.T.T. will be played by a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, and while three versions will make appearances, it should come as no surprise to hear that out personal favorite is the driverless K.I.T.T. Remote. Go on, indulge in the links below for more pictorial goodness, we won't tell anyone.

[Via TVSquad, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Eric @ Feb 5th 2008 11:06PM]

I hope the show does well and isn't just a lame remake of the original. It sounds like they are going to try to make it as a continuation of the original with Hoff returning as a much older Michael Knight. I like the choice for the car. It has the up to date look that it needs while also being somewhat intimadating. I could do without the double spoiler. I also read the article that was made from the announcement about the show. One thing stood out and that was the car is able to change color and shapes. This reminded me of a very short lived show called viper where the car could do the same thing. I hope it does well enough to knock off some of the crap "reality" shows that are the farthest thing from the real world that you can get or the slurry of stupid primetime game shows that are just pathetic.

[jonas @ Dec 13th 2007 9:14AM]

Ugly as hell, where is that 'cool' front he used to have :(

[mushrooshi @ Dec 13th 2007 8:54AM]

My dad wants black rims on his red 2003 G35 sedan, but I don't like black rims. He has "Carbon" colored ones, its like a bit darker than steel.

Oh, also, the spoiler is WAYYY too big on the Knight Rider.

[Mort @ Dec 13th 2007 9:49AM]

Which one? The higher spoiler or the lower one? Just wtf is up with that? They let some idiot play pimp my ride?

[R @ Dec 13th 2007 12:09PM]

@mushrooshi:

Tell your dad black rims are sooo 2001. Pink rims are what's hot now. All the rappers have them in their music videos. :)

And yeah, the double spoiler on the new KITT is lame.

[jflint @ Dec 13th 2007 8:58AM]

There are no seams in the roof for the ejection seat! Is the the kinder, gentler KITT?

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 13th 2007 9:34AM]

I'm guessing it's the same kitt, because my money's on them recycling all the scripts since they have no writers.

[Blackstar @ Dec 13th 2007 4:57PM]

It's ok, they didn't have any writers on the first series either.

Can't wait for the Ford vs GM flame bait backlash after this.

[matt @ Dec 13th 2007 8:59AM]

It might have looked cool if it hadn't been for the double spoiler... makes the whole car look like a joke.

[Blackster @ Dec 13th 2007 9:35AM]

i second that! looks like a bad matchbox car. i like the car tho(without those spoilers) :)

[Frankenstein Black @ Dec 13th 2007 10:15AM]

Exactly! And what happened to using "the egg" anyways?
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2007/2007-Koenigsegg-CCXR-Front-And-Side-1280x960.htm

[Sickmanseth @ Dec 29th 2007 2:30PM]

It looks like an SVO threw up.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 13th 2007 9:05AM]

First of all, the Knight Rider audience no longer exists. Secondly this car doesn't have the spirit of KITT - it looks more like the Charger BARRICADE from Transformers.
KITT was a high tech super sportscar in a time when big Cadillacs and big Lincolns ruled the street. If you really must remake the show, I feel KIT should be a modifyed Mercedes Benz CLS550 or better yet, a BUGGATI VEYRON. Maybe even a V12 Aston Martin DBS like Bond's.

[Dave @ Dec 13th 2007 10:03AM]

two things.... 1, yes the knight rider audience exists. dope. and 2, barricade was a mustang, not a charger.

[paloooz @ Dec 13th 2007 12:03PM]

No. Either make KITT a 1985 Pontiac Firebird or don't make KITT at all.

[Karen @ Dec 13th 2007 1:24PM]

The car was an 82 1/2 Trans am.

[paloooz @ Dec 13th 2007 6:55PM]

Good point. I fail, but you get my point. Trans Am, Firebird, whatever. At the very least they could go with the new model Camaro, since the Trans Am/Firebird is basically a Camaro. But come on, a Mustang? Lame.

[mpr0062 @ Feb 25th 2008 7:34PM]

The Original KITT released by FLAG was a 1980 Pontiac Trans-am T-TOP in midnight black.

[Rob @ Dec 13th 2007 9:08AM]

Ok, this is as silly as Bumblebee being a Camaro in the new Transformers movie. Don't get me wrong, Camaros are nice looking cars. But, let's stay a bit true to the story. Yes, I did notice the yellow VB in the dealership's lot at the beginning of the movie.

But, WTF??? They could've at least used a car with similar design to the original Trans-Am. A Viper or Lamborghini Diablo would've been nice. Michael needs a car that says "I've arrived." A Mustang Cobra, as nice as they are, doesn't quite make that statement.

(Slipping into my flame retardant suit, I sit down quietly.)

[Darkest Daze @ Dec 13th 2007 10:52AM]

Hell, even if Ford payed them to use their car, a GT40 would be better than a Mustang.

[John B @ Dec 13th 2007 11:35AM]

From what I understand, Michael Bay *did* approach Volkswagen to use the Beetle for Bumblebee and Volkswagen refused because they don't want to associate themselves with war/guns/violence, which obviously is a major piece of the new movie.

[bethel03 @ Dec 13th 2007 11:43AM]

I agree, this would have been the perfect opportunity for GM to show off their new Camaro/Firebird/TA body. The Ford Rustang just doesn't do it for me. I guess it's a good thing they kept it domestic though.

[Johnnyg0 @ Dec 14th 2007 8:40AM]

I know a lot of people didn't liked the Bumblebee change to a Camaro,.. but c'mon look at it when its next to a Wolkswagon bug (when Sam buys it). The WV is too small and doesn't look badass at all.

Bumblebee always looked like a wuss before (probably the smallest and weakest Autobot), not anymore IMHO,.. but purists will disagree I can understand that.

[Rob @ Dec 14th 2007 12:26PM]

@ Johnnyg0. Yes, I'd agree that changing Bumblebee to a Camaro was a tough choice considering that a Beetle is not the toughest looking car. So, I think going with Bumblebee for the "main" Autobot, after Optimus Prime of course, was a bad choice. If they had gone with "Iron Heart" or any of the others, it would've made more sense. But, since GM was providing the cars, they had no chance to use a Beetle for Bumblebee.

In any event, I think a Mustang Cobra is a bad choice for K.I.T.T. Cobras are nice and stylish, but not my choice for this character.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Dec 13th 2007 9:08AM]

If they go with the same cheese as the original version it won't work. If tey go with a more "naturalized" version it may have a chance. This ain't the 80s anymore, you just can't pull that same crap in the 21st century.

[boulderhorn @ Dec 13th 2007 9:09AM]

I'll repeat my post from autoblog yesterday...

"I think i just threw up a little."

[JPN @ Dec 13th 2007 10:18AM]

I think they've made a huge mistake.

Come on!

I almost thought it was a comedy, what with GOB being the new voice.

[vigil @ Dec 13th 2007 9:28AM]

Would be neat if mustangs weren't dime-a-dozen everywhere on the streets.

[Dave @ Dec 13th 2007 10:06AM]

And trans ams weren't?????

[Riles @ Dec 13th 2007 9:21AM]

No red light moving across the front bumper, honestly I don't even know who you are anymore.

[nd @ Dec 13th 2007 10:32AM]

did you even look at the pictures? there are several mockups, but the most complete ones have a red bar across the front edge of the "ram air" intake on the hood....red lights for sure! talk to me KITT...

[TriZz @ Dec 13th 2007 9:22AM]

I agree with a lot people. I'm 27 now and was a HUUUGE knight rider fan. I used to have a members only jacket and would wear it while I hid behind a tree talking into my watch saying "KITT, I'm trouble, come get me"

I am VERRRY disappointed in their choice of car. I truly believe they should have found a few Trans Ams and restored them to the original KITT, or modified them to have a new age look. Even, as one commenter above mentioned, a similar looking car would have been acceptable too.

I have a feeling that this is going to whiggity-whack.

[Starbuck @ Dec 13th 2007 9:23AM]

KITT is a Cylon!

[daaper @ Dec 13th 2007 9:23AM]

Nice, can't wait to see it. I'll reserve my judgment until I've actually seen the show rather than just bash. I know the car is supposed to be able to morph so this may be the "extreme" mode for all we know.

[Chris @ Dec 13th 2007 10:52AM]

Looks kinda riced out. I don't remember the original KITT having a lot of extra body kit insanity going on. It was altered from the original car a bit, but this is overboard. That wing stuff should only come out and be visable when Michael Knight hits the Turbo button.

[Ken Klassy @ Dec 13th 2007 9:28AM]

I was wondering when the old shows would come back due to the writers block, i mean strike...

[majortom @ Dec 13th 2007 9:29AM]

with all of it's high tech, I wonder if it can eat a hamburger off the floor.....

[Rob K @ Dec 13th 2007 12:57PM]

Or get more than 10 miles per gallon...

[alejandropando @ Dec 13th 2007 9:33AM]

that car is sick looking!!1 the rear wing area is a bit much, but the all black is just stunning. i'm kind of afraid of what the new show may bring though.

:S

[NHAnimator @ Dec 13th 2007 9:34AM]

This will no doubt be a crap show. NBC is not only going to ruin my memories of this show, but will surely destroy American Gladiators as well. They and the other networks are as pathetic as Hollywood. Just drudging up old stuff - making sequels and movies out of old TV shows. I really don't miss the writers. Give me my sports and I guess I'll be okay.

[Alex @ Dec 13th 2007 9:44AM]

just like bionic woman, this too will suck....unless they bring back the Hoff as Michael

[jc @ Dec 13th 2007 10:07AM]

In reality, KITT would have been a Japanese car and not a piece of crap domestic.

[Fluidj @ Dec 13th 2007 9:39AM]

A ford? A FORD!!!! A FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so wrong...

[John B @ Dec 13th 2007 11:39AM]

Yeah! They should have used a Yugo or Fiat! {/SARCASM}

Does it really matter WHAT kind of car they used?! This show is most likely going to suck anyway as Hollywood continues to rape the 1980s.

[Randy @ Dec 13th 2007 9:42AM]

As a fan of the Original, I'm disappointed in the choice of car. But the car is easy enough to change. I'm more concerned about the writing and the plot lines. Even, as a fan, The original show's plots weren't very deep or meaningful at times. I guess they plan to re-imagine the show along the lines of they did w/ Battlestar/Bionic Woman.

Can't wait to see KARR. If he ever makes an appearance.

[Wasabifan @ Dec 13th 2007 9:46AM]

I am a bit surprised they used a Shelby at all for this car. I find it humorous that people are knocking this for being too cheap/too common of a car. The original KITT was a plain black Trans Am. They were a dime a dozen too. Not to mention, they are going to have to build a fleet of these cars to tear up in production. I am surprised they aren't using base models with some custom grill and tail lights like the original to keep production costs down.

Get over it people, the car is a prop...it won't make up for bad story lines. If the stories are good...people will watch whether they choose a Mustang, a Camero, a Challenger, Viper, Lotus, or whatever.

[Ryan Boone @ Dec 13th 2007 9:47AM]

Phail.

Pontiac was robbed.

[nd @ Dec 13th 2007 10:29AM]

pontiac doesnt make the fireturd anymore- would you rather a 6th generation grand am...i mean a g6 than this car?

[Ryan Boone @ Dec 19th 2007 2:24PM]

Solstice? :P

[ThatChrisInAtlanta @ Dec 13th 2007 2:55PM]

I'm with you Rob, this KITT doesn't do it for me. Mustangs are great, but KITT is supposed to be sleek and futuristic; the Mustang is a throwback muscle car. It just doesn't fit.

Besides, nowadays we have production cars that parallel park themselves - so cars that drive themselves is not a great feat anymore. Everyone has GPS units with maps displays and spoken directions (although none of them can issue missile lock warnings or sound as debonair as Christopher Hewett (RIP)). Not to mention, we are all just getting over the neck strain of watching 'the Hoff' suck in his gut for 10 years on Baywatch - do we need to be reminded?

What is this version of KITT going to do to make us think it is futuristic Knight Foundation technology?