So Much for Ford Promoting The New KITT

[JJSoCrazy]

"540 horsepower. The Shelby GT500KR carries forward the spirit of the original car – with 1,000 units planned for production.
When it enters the market this year, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR will play a starring role. Cast as the new KITT, in the remake of the TV show Knight Rider, the popular American television series, which ran from 1982 to 1986 and starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a kind of modern-day “knight” and his partner, an advanced Pontiac Trans Am with artificial intelligence. In the TV premier, the Shelby GT500KR will make its appearance as KITT in three modes – HERO, ATTACK and camouflage versions. The HERO is the standard 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR and the ATTACK is a further modified high-speed version.
Building on Mustang’s rich and successful racing heritage, Ford Racing will offer customers a new way to affordably race with the all-new 2008 Mustang FR500S. The car will be at the heart of the all-new Mustang spec series, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, and will make its debut on the tracks of North America in 2008. Built on the production line at AutoAlliance International Inc., the FR500S features a 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 production engine that is produced by Ford and sealed and dyno’d at Roush Industries. The FR500S will retail for $75,000 straight from the Ford Racing parts catalog."

This is from Ford about the new 2009 Mustang and its variants. They stated that KITT will have 3 variants, Camouflage, Hero, Attack instead of being Hero, Attack, and Remote.

[KnightLady]

Somehow, I don't see how that can be affordably priced. Not for me at least. $75,000 is a lot above the price range I'm able to afford. Not to mention there is probably a gas tax that is gonna somehow figure into it when you buy it, and insurance, gas, etc. But, it says that it is Ford Racing. So, with my understanding of this article, it sounds like a modified street machine.

[Michael Pajaro]

I think you have to look at the bigger picture... Ford isn't just selling Mustangs, they are selling the BRAND. Your average Knight Rider viewer won't spend $75,000 on an automobile. But if they can get the impression that Ford is cool or exciting, they might go to a dealership to see the Mustang and drive out with a mini-van.

[DevonStyles]

Well if you want speed and power, your gonna have to pay for it. That's why the car is that much. That's why a Corvette cost more than a impala and a mustang cost more than a taurus

[PHOENIXZERO]

I'm more annoyed with their calling it a remake.....

[knightprobe89]

I think you have to look at the bigger picture... Ford isn't just selling Mustangs, they are selling the BRAND. Your average Knight Rider viewer won't spend $75,000 on an automobile. But if they can get the impression that Ford is cool or exciting, they might go to a dealership to see the Mustang and drive out with a mini-van.

or you could just buy a base model low end black mustang for around $26,000 with a six cylinder engine, that would be close enough for a kitt styled mustang.

[seeker78]

or you could just buy a base model low end black mustang for around $26,000 with a six cylinder engine, that would be close enough for a kitt styled mustang.

Yet more evidence that it is outside appearance that makes a car a potential KITT, not arcane performance specs... 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe baby...

[scottab21]

or you could just buy a base model low end black mustang for around $26,000 with a six cylinder engine, that would be close enough for a kitt styled mustang.

Yet more evidence that it is outside appearance that makes a car a potential KITT, not arcane performance specs... 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe baby...

Exactly. The GT500KR actually looks fast, powerful, and kool... The Ford Focus, G5, or any other little coupe just doesn't make the cut...LOL

[seeker78]

Exactly. The GT500KR actually looks fast, powerful, and kool... The Ford Focus, G5, or any other little coupe just doesn't make the cut...LOL

Well it looks boxy to me...

See, I don't associate "fast" with "looks like it only moves through the air because the engine is powerful enough to compensate for lack of aerodynamics". But I'm just looking at the cars from an aesthetic viewpoint, not as a car expert.

"The 2 lower trim levels only get the metallic look on the center console, not the dash. Personally I love this darker metallic. Overall the new Focus is very very goodlooking. Now if they'd just make a Mercury version..."

quoted from a user on http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007 ... ook_a.html

from the same site,

"Ford needs to update there transmissions and offer a manual mode automatic. Every other car manufacturer has a manual mode automatic!
Where's yours Ford? A four speed automatic? Come on that was great in the late 90's, but not in 2008. Where's the horsepower? 136 is all you can muster, very weak compared to most japanese car manufacturers that have 200 horsepower standard. The car looks great but it really needs a newer modern transmission with 5 speeds for the automatic with a manual mode and 6 speeds for the manual version."

ok, so this guy thinks "the car looks great" but still doesn't like it. Unless you're a car expert, why would you even care how many speeds of transmission you have?

Still, overall, I think the Ford Mustang is fine as kitt, now that I have seen it on video. They should have modded the front, but it's fine.

--Brian