KITT vs. KITT: Which is better?
Later on today when we publish the latest episode of the Autoblog Podcast, you'll get to hear my voice quiver as I recall the original KITT in all its F-body glory. The one thing that irked me about KITT v1.0 was near the end of the series' run when he was destroyed and rebuilt with new features. Suddenly, KITT could go Mach 5 on the ground thanks to a new Pursuit Mode that was accompanied by every manner of wing, canard and automatically-extending aerodynamic supplement in the universe. The original KITT in Pursuit Mode was obviously the inspiration for the new KITT in Attack Mode, which is just as garish an automobile in its own right.
Inevitably, comparisons between the KITT of our youth and the new KITT will occur like the one above, so we're pleased that Popular Mechanics bit the proverbial bullet and did a Special Features Comparison between the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am that played the original and the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that's been hired for the new series.
Technology has advanced in the last 25 years and the new KITT has many more interesting features than the old one, like a mini-KITT reconnaissance drone, nanotech cloaking technology and DNA analysis equipment. It also features standard equipment that Pontiac didn't offer back in the day like 24-hour roadside assistance, heated seats and a heads-up display. But the new KITT is missing a few key items that could come in handy like a grapling hook, flame thrower and oil jets that shoot out the back. Also, the new KITT doesn't appear to accelerate as fast as the old one, which could hit 60 mph in 0.2 seconds with some help from its power boosters.
Click the Read link to see which car wins the battle of the better KITT.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Level 10:46PM (2/13/2008)
The new KITT is better for the simple reason it has sold more cars of its kind then the original ever did.........
There seems to be so many fans of the original show, where were all of you when the show needed your ratings???
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Kbdabear 8:12PM (3/02/2008)
First a disclaimer, I own a 3rd gen 1989 Firebird. The 3rd Gen is still considered a looker today and doesn't have the "redneck" stigma of the Camaro. I still love them.
The original KITT was modified very easily with a few tricks with the front bumper and made for a sleek futuristic looking car for 1982.
As for the new Mustang KITT? The horror...the horror..
The Mustang is a wonderful throwback design which would be best suited for a Bullitt remake. The customization done for Knight Rider 2008 looks like the production team took a Shelby to a shop that makes Ricers, especially with that horrible ricer spoiler.
The show itself made me wish the writers would go back on strike. The original was a fun live cartoon action series with the nice simple good vs evil theme, whereas the new series seems to resemble Big Brother in a Car. I loved the original KITT voice with William Daniels as sort of a snooty and scolding guardian angel.
In the end, this was little more than a 2 hour Ford commercial.
Verdict - Send it back to the garage for an overhaul
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shikar.babulall 2:35AM (7/22/2009)
The old Kitt outclasses the new one ,it was one of a kind ,unique,mysterious, the weren't any bagdes to even say what car it was,I saw the Mustang in the movie I am legend,and the idea of the new Karr transforming is already seen in Transformers,there not unique or myterious about the new kitt.
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shikar.babulall 2:50AM (7/22/2009)
I also think the new Kitt talks to much and the voice is terrible and it sounds like a human ,orignal Kitts voice was by far more cool,basically I think the old show is a classic ,it had action humour and jokes,the new show is lame and boring,Michael Knight and Kitt were one of a kind,like the lone rider and his horse,just like Airwolf and Hawk which was another 80's hit classic,how many movie do viewers know where you see the exact same Trans am model used for Kitt in the 80's, None!!!! the Mustangs has been seen in alot of movies,there nothing unique about it!!! though it is a nice car,but it's not special.
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itsmeee 3:08PM (12/20/2007)
Obviously the original KITT. The new one honestly looks like the type of car I would have to pull over to the side of the road because I was laughing to hard if I saw it driving down the road.
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Mobius_1 10:49PM (12/20/2007)
I agree. The old one has far more "class" almost like a Bond car whereas the new one is kind of evil looking (Transformers?)
MosquitoControl 11:07AM (12/21/2007)
"Class" is not a word I'd use with the 80s Trans Am.
It's your ultimate blue-collar and/or New Jersey dream. The type of car you'd see a few dozen of outside of a bar in Nutley.
Not at all classy. Maybe fun, maybe intimidating, maybe cool. Not classy.
Of course, compared to the pictures they've been showing of the new one... the GT500 could have class, but it appears they've entirely stripped it away with that spoiler.
Ben H. 3:08PM (12/20/2007)
On the keyless entry and ignition, I thought KITT was the system? =]
I still prefer 1.0
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TriShield 3:12PM (12/20/2007)
The original KITT is far superior, the shape still looks sinister and modern today.
KITT should have been a new Corvette ZO6. A new car with all the familiar cues of the Firebird that originally played KITT.
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500 9:35PM (12/20/2007)
Nah, KITT's gotta have a back seat. Sometimes Michael Knight might want to pick up TWO chicks...
And I still remember 25 years later (I was 10 at the time) how cool and futuristic the '82 Trans Am looked when it first came out. It's hard to think of a modern muscle car which would look that fresh. Maybe if GM had given them access to an early production Camaro, or even the upcoming GTO?
Clark 3:13PM (12/20/2007)
Sad that I know this but true...KITT v1.0 came OEM with pursuit mode. It wasn't until the v1.1 rebuild in the later seasons that added "Super Pursuit Mode" with all the wings (and the tired same video strip of their deployment used in every episode there after).
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TriShield 3:14PM (12/20/2007)
Photoshop of KITT as a Corvette ZO6
http://www.crossroadforums.com/gallery2/d/383863-2/Carscoop_New_Knight_Rider_2.jpg
Black out the headlamps and it's perfect.
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Freestyle4x4f150 3:21PM (12/20/2007)
Maybe its because they need to sit more than 2 poeple at times
zoomzoomr 4:37PM (12/20/2007)
AGREED.. the Z06 looks like the perfect choice for KITT 2.0.. the little hood scoop opening is perfect for KITT's LEDs! My problem with the Mustang is that you see one on every corner.. nothing you would look twice at, even in this mildly hopped-up form.
J M C 3 5:44PM (12/20/2007)
You nailed it.Kitt shoulda been a 'Vette.
Gabe 11:54PM (12/20/2007)
While I like the idea of it being a Vette more than a big fat Mustang I still think the CCX would have been awesome.
http://coryarthus.com/album/kr_large.png
Taylor 3:24PM (12/20/2007)
Please enlighten me Autoblog...Why is this even being discussed? I hate the new K.I.T.T. I'll just say this, I don't like Mustangs either. The new car looks nothing like the old one. It's blocky, heavy, and just looks flat out ugly.
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Mallory 3:26PM (12/20/2007)
The old KITT was better. I'll never understand why they picked a Mustang as the new one.
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Bob-o 10:30PM (12/20/2007)
Money.
Frylock350 7:56AM (12/21/2007)
Because Transformers already took Camaro