NBC working on Transformers inspired KNIGHT RIDER

[metal_bryan]

Wow... that is the least cool looking thing I've ever seen. Hooray for gluing inane crap to the outside of a crappy looking car to begin with and thinking it's the most futuristic and awesome thing ever. This was on TV during the 90's? I can't believe it. No wonder I never saw it.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

[gamemanual]

[GhostMachine]

[The Shadow]

Here's the picture that Jaloponik put up:



It's reports say it's official - which I think is kind of disappointing. I would have much rather seen a sleeker car for what's supposed to be KITT's successor - the Mustang certainly isn't sleek and it seems rather brutish and/or bull-headed.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

IMO, the Mustang is the best looking New Car on the market bar none, but it does Not seem right for K.I.T.T. or other Knight Industries project car.


Additional..
Do the scanner lights on that car look odd to anyone else?

Almost look photoshopped to me.

Not accusing it of being fake or anything.. just maybe an early pic of the car before the installation of the lights that had the them photoshopped in for a publicity shot?

Or maybe my eyes are fuzzy this morning.

[Jinzo Ningen]

^Yup. Mustang is one hellacious-looking car alright, but just wrong somehow for a KITT replacement. In fact, as I rack my brain trying to work through the various current car line ups out on the market right now, nothing seems to fit the KITT mold, so to speak. Needs that sleek, low slung look, and no car out there springs to mind. Especially anything American.

I love the look of the Pontiac Solstice, but it's too compact and rounded. The overall tiny-ness would make it better-suited as the new ride for 'Get Smart.' Given the success GM had re-inventing the classic Camaro for the upcoming '09 release, this would be an excellent excuse for folks in the GM design studios to get busy updating the 80's era Trans Am.

Maybe GM shot their on-screen market tie-in funds when they monopolized the 'Transformers' line-up? Hard to picture any other brand but Pontiac for KITT, but they could have done a lot worse than Ford's muscular Pony, I guess. Now we need to see who'll be behind the wheel and how will they bring life / personality to KITT?? That will make or break the whole thing.

[The Shadow]

[Jinzo Ningen]

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

[mrbluehair]

I am a lover of American Iron, but why does it have to be a muscle car in the American sense....If you want to be progressive, go with somthing like the Lexus LF-A concept....I mean the whole vision of Knight Industries was one of wealth and prestiege and this car not only has that, but imagine it in all black with the red bar....Ooooh Sexy....

[GhostMachine]

If they wanted to use a foreign car, I'd recommend the Lamborghini Gallardo.

[The Shadow]

If they went that route I rather like the look of the Gallardo Superleggera [since this thread could get picture heavy fast I'll just use a link]

I think there may be a couple drawbacks regarding the Lamborghini. One, like the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice - they all seem to be two seaters. And two, the cost of the vehicle. Cost is primarily a concern for the production company [who'll want multiple units for filming] but also the Lamborghini are more stand out because of their rarity. IE It would draw more attention than a more commonly seen car. But it's fiction - so no sense over-thinking the rarity aspect.

[Jinzo Ningen]

FXR -

The Challenger is going to be a regular production car. I work in the auto industry, and Chrysler announced a few weeks ago that it would debut as (I believe) a late 2008 or 2009 model. Also... they are killing the Pacifica, PT Cruiser ragtop, Crossfire, and Magnum. So if you're interested in any of those, you'd better act soon. They will all be phased out within the next couple of years.

Regarding the foreign cars... Nahhhhhh. KITT needs to be an American machine. I don't know why; just seems that an American hero roaring around America should be doing it in a U.S. car. And before you go point it out, I know that many foreign brand cars sold here are also built here. (Honda claims around 75%); and I'll grant you that the Lexus is indeed very sharp. With the Lamborghini... it would just look too awkward to see the hero trying to slide in & out with those funky guillotine doors.

Too bad the current Pontiacs all have that same 'face' on them. They need a break away from the cookie-cutter look. It's one thing to have an identifier, like the Dodge 'crosshair grill or the Jeep 7-slot grill, etc., but the GM sporty cars look virtually identical from a distance. That said, their new Camaro is a step in the right direction.

[mrbluehair]

Naahhh if you go Lambo, you need to go with the Reventon, and I think a it would look badass if KITT were to show up, the doors go skyward....remember, KITT is supposed to be cutting edge.

Besides Hollywood can create relatively cheap knock offs...just look at the Testarossa Tubbs rolled in on Miami Vice...total kit car.

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

[mrbluehair]

[Jinzo Ningen]

[Shokara]

[The Shadow]

[Jinzo Ningen]

[quote=It was always my impression that the Turbo Boost was more about the jump than it was about the speed build up leading up to the jump.[/quote]

The exact funtion of the TB button seemed to depend on the whim of the writer for a particular episode. In the vast majority of the series, the boost was strictly for jumping stuff. In a few episodes though, Michael pushes the button to get a huge pursuit speed boost to catch up to a fleeing bad guy.

Regarding the network teaser itself... sorry, but I wasn't very impressed. I think the core idea of the scanner looks retarded by splitting it into two separate units that work opposite each other. Now if the scanning beam simply continued across the hood scoop 'nose' break - well that would be okay, I suppose. A big gripe here: the idea of KITT now calling his partner "Mike" just screams of some network executive asshat thinking this would show everyone that this new version of KR was more 'hip.' Or something... Ack.

[The Shadow]

Sticking the scanner in the hood's air scoop like they did just seems downright silly to me. Now, I'm certainly no car expert, but it seems to me that placing the scanner there would decrease the air flowing into the engine [and ultimately it's power output].

I don't know if I'd consider myself outright opposed to the use of a Mustang as the K3000 - the Firebird Trans-Ams are no longer manufactured and the studio had to go with some car. But I know I don't like that NBC seems to be showcasing that the K3000 is a FORD SHELBY MUSTANG [in 10 story high glowing letters].

Certainly, it doesn't take much research learn that the real car used as a basis for KITT [the original] was a Firebird Trans-Am but in watching the show you never saw any Pontiac logos, Firebird logos, nor the Trans-Am logo on the car itself. But as we can see in the teaser for the TV movie the "FORD" name and the Shelby Mustang logo are featured prominently in the teaser [in fact it's the only part of the car we really get a clear look at].

[Jinzo Ningen]

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

[Jinzo Ningen]