Knight Industries Three Thousand specs revealed

While you may or may not agree with NBC's decision to make KITT a Ford Mustang in the new Knight Rider series, we're pretty sure that you're gonna tune in next February nonetheless if for no other reason then to see what modern technology can do to a talking, crime-fighting car. Well luckily Popular Mechanics has what is reportedly an exclusive spec sheet detailing all of the Knight Industries Three Thousand's many capabilities, including much of the in-vehicle biometric and genetic testing you'd expect, along with such military features as laser weapons, a missile defense system, and even a targeted electromagnetic pulse for frying an enemy's gadgets or pulling off the odd casino heist. One cutting-edge device that has been left out is a breathalyzer-based ignition system, which was allegedly scrapped at the last minute after designers learned that David Hasselhoff would not in fact be getting behind the wheel this time around.

[Thanks, cant0r]

[mistersquared @ Dec 23rd 2007 6:51PM]

Knight Rider FTW!

[ScareyJ @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:44PM]

I think Apple and Mustang have one thing in common ... one sweet @ss end! Come on, Ford modeled it after the Steve-ster himself! hell, Trivette from Walker Texas Ranger drove a mustang (I know, after the Stealth) ... but still, Ryan and I have a real thing for Apple!

[Frankenstein Black @ Dec 24th 2007 9:58AM]

MEH! What happen to the Egg?
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2007/2007-Koenigsegg-CCXR-Front-And-Side-1280x960.htm

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 24th 2007 11:47AM]

what's with that double wing? didn't they learn anything from the rice rockets?

[Alan Partridge @ Dec 23rd 2007 6:54PM]

Ford must be second only to Apple with the product placements. The new Mustang is in Knightrider, I Am Legend and Transformers. Just waiting to see if the new KITT will have an iPod dock...

[TZK @ Dec 23rd 2007 9:34PM]

The mustang was NOT in Transformers, It was the prototype for the camero.

[jamma @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:58PM]

Sony are bad at that too. If you watch the latest Bond film, you may notice a Sony Blu-ray player, a Sony Bravia, a Sony Vaio,every single phone a Sony Ericsson and more.

In fact, that intire film paid for itself in advertising for Ford (Aston Martin branch), Sony, and the most blatant one, which is even scripted:

"Is that a Rolex?"
"No, Omega"

[Brian @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:20PM]

I see you can't tell Fords from GMs...

[Grego @ Dec 23rd 2007 9:51PM]

The Mustang was in Transformers. It was the decepticon Barricade(the cop car).

[Wyld1 @ Dec 23rd 2007 9:52PM]

The Mustang was in Transformers. Barricade was a Mustang (the cop car)

[cahal00 @ Dec 23rd 2007 10:09PM]

The Mustang WAS in Transformers. It was the Decepticon police car, Barricade.

[Alan Partridge @ Dec 23rd 2007 10:00PM]

Sony was all over Bond as it was made by Sony Pictures. It was kind of funny seeing how they could squeeze just about every Sony product into the film. They didnt have anyone playing a PS3 though, some things are just too far fetched!

[jordan @ Dec 23rd 2007 11:44PM]

the Mustang he's talking about is Barricade, the decepticon police car which was a modified Saleen S281 Mustang.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barricade_(Transformers)

[something @ Dec 24th 2007 8:28AM]

Yeah, the mustang was in transformers but it was easily overlooked due to the rest of the movie being one long GM commercial

[Natedog @ Dec 26th 2007 5:56PM]

The new Mustang is a nice car, you really can't blame Ford for trying to sell it or directors for using it in films. The number of Apple products in I Am Legend, on the other hand...

I laughed out loud at the iMac with the RAID array...

[Jimmy Jones @ Dec 23rd 2007 6:58PM]

very lame choice of car. It could have been Aston Martin or Lambo and not a fugly Mustang

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:10PM]

Seconded

[Reader @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:01PM]

Seriously, the character of the Mustang does not sit well at all with this. Especially after they raped it with ricer crap, maybe if they muscled it out and possibly gave it a more retro look.

An Aston would definitely be a good fit.

[Zeus the God @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:13PM]

Should have been an General Motors built machine. Not some crap-ass Mustang.

At least they didn't go with some foreign car like an Aston Martin.

[euclid @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:23PM]

agreed. As much as i like the mustang, come on! The car should have more intrigue to it. Even Corvettes and Vipers have more oomph. And if we're talking exotic, the possibilities are endless.

[Andrew @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:27PM]

I agree, I own a Cobra myself and I definitely would not have cast a Mustang as KITT. It just doesn't seem right. And the wing makes me cry.

[todd @ Jan 15th 2008 11:06PM]

I got to agree...the Mustang is one ugly ride and the prototype Camaro isn't far behind but nothing is going to be a sleek as the original KITT Firebird. Nothing!

[Captain USA @ Dec 30th 2007 3:06PM]

Hey, K.I.T.T., good luck at the "fugliest car in the world" awards. Who designed this POS...Joe Hick Montana's inbred cousin???

[Stang'GT @ Dec 23rd 2007 6:58PM]

Jeez thats a sweet body kit.I wonder if the next issue of, "Modified Mustangs" will have more info on this bad-ass stang...

[Mark @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:03PM]

lol what's michael knight going to do with a 1000 watt "quadraphonic stereo system"?

[Maff @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:12PM]

Play 'Get Into My Car'?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jweE8uSNPEU

[Andrew @ Dec 24th 2007 2:41AM]

You had the opportunity to rick roll everyone there. Way to drop the ball.

[Andrew @ Dec 24th 2007 2:42AM]

But after watching the vid, I must say, well played.

[Stupidiot @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:12PM]

Nice body kit, right up until the point when you notice this thing has a stupid looking double spoiler.

[Andrew @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:21PM]

That reminds of of a few years ago when I told my dad I wanted to put a spoiler on my car. His reponse: "What do you want to do, fly?"

[FK @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:49PM]

Your dad was a smart man. You should listen to him.

[Mike I @ Dec 24th 2007 2:34AM]

Spoilers do help very fast cars by providing down force so that the cars has enough friction between the ground and the wheels. (So that they can continue to accelerate and so that they can get traction for handling purposes.) For example, the Koenigsegg CCX lost control while being tested on Top Gear when it did not have a spoiler. Once the spoiler was added, it achieved the highest speed tested by the television show.

A spoiler will probably provide very, very, very little benefit for any Ford (including the Ford GT.)

[Mike I @ Dec 24th 2007 2:57AM]

Sorry for the grammar mistakes in my earlier post. I went back and did a bad job of editing what I said. Although, I think everyone should be able to understand what I was saying. :)

[Robert @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:34PM]

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

A little optimistic on some fronts i think.

[Andrew @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:01PM]

You may have missed it, this is for a TV show. ;)

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:40PM]

But still it would be nice if they actually made it and moved that dot on the price two spaces to the left

[Andrew @ Dec 24th 2007 2:49AM]

It's late and I've been drinking and I don't feel like busting out the calculator, but I think 300mph-0 in 12' would pull too many g's for even the Hoffmeister to handle.

[Mii @ Dec 24th 2007 3:32AM]

Shouldn't that be multi-fuel gas turbine with auxiliary (all-platinum) fuel cell powered Electric Motor for highway mode, and "realistic V8 sound effect" DSP and subwoofers for stealth mode.

[Jesse S @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:44PM]

Needs moar CARR.

[zzz @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:52PM]

So this piece of shit costs 45 mil? You've got to be kidding me.

[TZK @ Dec 23rd 2007 9:33PM]

Hey, the new bionic woman cost 50mil! Thats some poosay.

[ALAN DEME @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:55PM]

I want that

[TomTom2007 @ Dec 23rd 2007 7:56PM]

it looks okay guys... just okay...

[Maff @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:09PM]

should have been a Ford GT!

[Zeus the God @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:11PM]

Shouldn't have been a Ford anything!

[Jon Doe @ Dec 24th 2007 5:57PM]

If you are going to make it a Ford GT you may as well make it a black Toyota Prius.

[Zeus the God @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:11PM]

Fuck this.

Fuck Knight Rider.

Fuck Ford and their God damned shitty Mustang.

I want the REAL KITT NAO! I mean, come on, at least use a Camaro...

[Andrew @ Dec 23rd 2007 8:18PM]

Hahaha, Camaro, you GM drivers crack me up.

[Zeus the God @ Dec 23rd 2007 9:22PM]

Camaro owns the shit out of any mustang, any day. Same with the Firebird. The Mustang is for middle aged pansies who are going through a midlife crisis. The Camaro has power and handling, 2 things the Mustang NEVER had, and never will have.

[Constable Odo @ Dec 23rd 2007 10:50PM]

If the Boss 302/351 Mustang is the equivalent of the Apple iPod, then the effing Camaro is the Zune of Trans-Am racing. The Camaro is nothing but a legend wannabe that never could. The '69 Camaro SS396 was a rolling turd that couldn't get up to speed if it was driven off the edge of the Grand Canyon.

Jeebus Xmas. Forget the whack Ponton Firebird. Totally gay with a Bird of Paradise stenciled on the hood. The only thing it's Shaker Hood Scoop was good for was sucking Shelby Mustang exhaust fumes. Yeh, power and handling if you stuck a Firebird body on a Mustang chassis.

You should ease up on sucking those fumes yourself. The only good thing the Camaro ever had going for it was Penske Racing and Mark Donahue.