In the 1997–1998 spin-off series Team Knight Rider, KITT is employed as a shadow advisor. It is later revealed that “The Shadow” is actually a hologram run by KITT. In “Knight of the Living Dead”, Graiman states a third KITT exists as a backup. When KITT is about to die, his memories are downloaded so the third KITT can use them.

Storyline

It’s common to expect that activating this function will give KITT an extreme speed boost, but that’s not what happens. The Knight Industries 2000 microprocessor, from which KITT gets its name, is referred to as a self-aware cybernetic logic module. KITT (an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand) is a fictional computer that controls the high-tech Knight 2000, a black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am T-top automobile. The voice for KITT was provided by William Daniels, who requested that he not be credited for his work. If you’ve ever watched Knight Rider, you’d know that there are some pretty impressive stunts in later seasons. However, the modified Pontiac Firebird Trans Am wasn’t always fit for every type of terrain, let alone capable of resisting some of the more severe collisions we saw on the show.

Instead, a somewhat limited number of Pontiac Firebird Trans AMs were modified to fulfill the need. The 1982 Trans Am came standard with 305 cui V-8, allowing for a top speed of around 124 mph. The Canadian model of the Rivian R1S is an all-electric SUV that combines rugged capability with a refined, tech-forward interior.

KITT can also project his voice as a loudspeaker or as a form of ventriloquism (First used in Episode 48, “Knight of the Drones, Pt. 2”). In Knight Rider 2000, it is stated that most of the Knight 2000 parts had been sold off. However, Graiman’s garage in the 2008 film shows a more complete collection of parts than in the boxes recovered by Michael Knight in Knight Rider 2000. A Trans-Am body (without its hood) is partially covered by a tarp, on which rests the rear spoiler. The famous KITT steering wheel (labelled “Knight Two Thousand”) and “KNIGHT” license plate are also shown, along with numerous black muscle car body parts. When the camera shows a full scene of the garage, there are four other Knight two thousand cars being stored there.

The legacy of the TV series and the star car has led to many frighteningly screen-accurate replicas, and the cult following it has is almost unmatched. It’s a movie car we’d love to take a spin in, and we’re still waiting for the day when automakers offer some of these cool features on their production models. KITT, the artificially intelligent car from the classic TV series “Knight Rider,” has left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Bfgoodrich Launches Advantage Control Ht Tire For Everyday Suv And Pickup Use

Much like the storylines of another, earlier popular show “The Incredible Hulk” staring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, both popular shows were basically damsel-in-distress scenarios…but not always, which appealed to a broader range of viewers. KITT is powered by what’s known as the Knight Industries turbojet, feeding its power to the wheels through an electronically controlled 8-speed automatic transmission. You know, similar to the mid-engine corvette’s 8-speed dual-clutch patent.

Sadly, it’s also the most sensitive part of KITT, and the only one not protected by his heavy armor. This has a variety of uses, such as cheating slot machines and withdrawing money from ATMs. Those are the more, shall we say, fun (and illegal) uses of the jammer, but it can also block security cameras, allowing for KITT to enter a controlled environment more easily.

KITT can also use microwaves to heat a vehicle’s brake fluid, causing it to expand and thus apply the brakes of the car. In Episode 26, “Merchants of Death”, the microwave system’s power has been increased 3 times its normal strength, strong enough to bring down a helicopter at a limited distance. The new vehicle was a modified 1991 Dodge Stealth, appearing similar to the Pontiac Banshee prototype. For one of the four K.I.T.T. cars used in the original “Knight Rider” pilot has now been added to The Vault presented by Hagerty, a repository of incredibly rare dream machines.

The show was a huge hit in the 1980s, and the car became an instant icon. Its design and technology inspired countless other vehicles and gadgets in popular culture. Even today, KITT remains a beloved character, symbolizing the fusion of technology and adventure.

Where Is The Original Knight Rider ‘kitt’ Car Today?

KITT’s Voice (Anharmonic) Synthesizer (for speech) and Etymotic Equalizer (audio input) allow his logic module to speak and communicate. KITT’s primary spoken language was English; however, by accessing his language module, he can speak fluently in Spanish, French and much more. The module can be adjusted, giving KITT different accents such as in Episode 82, “Out of the Woods”, where KITT uses a “New York City” accent and called Michael “Micky”. During the first season, KITT’s “mouth” in the interior of the vehicle was indicated by a flashing red square. In episode 14 “Heart of Stone”, this was changed to three sectioned vertical bars, as this design proved popular with fans as part of KARR.

The shell is a combination of three secret substances together referred to as the Knight Compound, developed by Wilton Knight, who entrusted parts of the formula to three separate people, who each know only two pieces of the formula. The shell provided a frame tolerance of 223,000 lb (111.5 tons) and a front and rear axle suspension load of 57,000 lb (28.5 tons). In the pilot, “Knight of the Phoenix”, the shell is described as the panels of the car itself; in later episodes, especially from season two onward, the idea of the shell being applied to a base vehicle chemically is used. The 2008 update to Knight Rider includes a new KITT – the acronym now standing for Knight Industries Three Thousand.

KARR was programmed for self-preservation, but this proved to be dangerous to the Foundation’s humanitarian interests. The project was suspended and KARR was stored until a solution could be found. Once KITT was constructed, it was presumed that his prototype KARR had been deactivated and dismantled. However, the latter did not occur and KARR was placed in storage and forgotten following the death of Wilton Knight. KARR was later unwittingly reactivated by thieves in the original episode Trust Doesn’t Rust, and was thought destroyed, but then reappeared in the episode K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R and was seen to be finally destroyed by Michael and KITT.

KARR’s evil personality is also somewhat different in the comeback episode. His childlike perceptions are diminished into a more devious personality, completely cold and bent on revenge. When KARR is close to exploding after receiving severe damage; he willingly turbo-jumps into a mid-air collision with KITT, hoping that his own destruction would also spell his counterpart’s. Even KARR’s modus operandi is different; servicing enough in the first episode, he aims to actually make use of other people to serve his own needs. One explanation of this change could be as a result of the damage he received after falling over the cliff at the end of “Trust Doesn’t Rust”, causing further malfunctions in his programming.

Each individual knows only two pieces of the formula, ensuring that any two of them could make more of the Knight Compound in an emergency situation and that no one person would be able to make it. The shell provides a frame tolerance of 223,000 lb (111.5 tons) and a front and rear axle suspension load of 57,000 lb (28.5 tons). However, if you like your content free, here is a recent Car Wizard YouTube channel episode that is informative and fun to watch as the host goes over some repairs being done to a very good replica of the original K.I.T.T. 2000.