I believe that the following factors will need to be focused on extensively and with great attention to even the most minor details to make the new KITT as good if not better than the original:
The body:
Futuristic yet not overly glamorized in that it stands out like a sore thumb in traffic. The old KITT was sleek, sophisticated and subtle. These factors have to be incorporated into the new KITT for it to have any chance of being seen as a true modern remake of the old KITT. The best example of this is the Acura concept. I think it is by far the closest vehicle that embodies the essence of the old KITT. Any car that follows a simliar sleek and futuristic body design can be a candidate for the new KITT (with appropriate modifications of course). Here are some other good candidates for the new KITT:
![Image](http://thepassionatepursuit.com/images/weblog/07-10-30-lexus-lf-a-in-uk.jpg)
![Image](http://bp0.blogger.com/_q-t5rcc1l6c/RrCl6Mi-7uI/AAAAAAAAAQM/0-et8-KFPNg/s400/Chrysler+ME+Four-Twelve.jpg)
![Image](http://bp0.blogger.com/_q-t5rcc1l6c/RrIDVsi-7yI/AAAAAAAAAQs/zZFM7den-tg/s400/Lexus+LF-A.jpg)
![Image](http://bp2.blogger.com/_q-t5rcc1l6c/RrIDVMi-7xI/AAAAAAAAAQk/5iXDxlexzKs/s400/Saab+Aero+X.jpg)
Of course with modifications to make the vehicle carry the spirit, look and feel of KITT.
The dashboard:
The dashboard has to have a "wow" factor. This was one of the key trademarks of the original KITT and sold the car as truly futuristic. Technology has changed greatly since the 80s, but human interaction with technology hasn't changed much, we still use our hands to feel and touch and choose from a menu of icons to go somewhere. Voice command can be incorporated alongside this but not dominate it. I believe that the dash should be heavily influenced by touchscreen technology and maintain a healthy dose of futuristic digital gauges and readouts. Something like this but with a little work on the layout and design:
![Image](http://www.diseno-art.com/images_2/Honda_CR-Z_concept_car_interior_2.jpg)
![Image](http://thepassionatepursuit.com/images/weblog/07-10-12-lexus-lf-xh-interior.jpg)
![Image](http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/blog2/20060413/blogFuse2-1144956448642-440_330.jpg)
![Image](http://car-news.roadfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/mitsubishi-concept-zt-interior.jpg)
The fact that the old KITT could do everything automatically did not mean that manual control was obselete or not required; rather, that automated technology was stll prone to errors and problems (hacking, outages, etc.) that made manual control of the car a very important necessity. The same reasoning can justify the new KITT having touchscreen technology and digital guages and readouts and relying on manual control of the pilot/driver rather than having everything automated or controlled through voice commands with a small iphone screen. In addition, the voice modulator of KITT should remain where it was (the upper-center of the dash) but with a futuristic design that remains true to the original. Something like this but smaller and mirroring the three bar modulator of the original when KITT speaks:
![Image](http://www.geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/kr2008-a02.jpg)
The abilities:
The main abilities of the old KITT should never be sacrificed. Turbo Boost, Ski Mode, MBS, etc. are very important elements of KITT and a way to have the fans as well as those new to the show truly buy into the new KITT and a nodd of respect to the original. Of course the abilities would need to be updated in terms of how its done and the engineering and physics behind it in the Knight Rider universe to have people truly buy that these abilities are very much a possibility. Abilities like Turbo Boost and Ski Mode were used in action filled moments and gave a healthy feel of excitement to the show as everytime KITT Turbo Boosted, there was a slight risk that they may not make it over (a sort of keeping you on the edge of your seat moment). MBS was a very important element of the old Knight Rider and the whole nonsense that the NBC TV Movie dished out with the nano-technology healing that solely relies on the AI of the car being turned on and is useless if the AI is turned off was a step backwards. MBS can be modified to incorporate modern science and technology into it and is far superior to "healing" which makes KITT seem inferior and weak. Alongside the main abilities of KITT, new and more modern abilities can be implemented while obselete ones can be removed and updated with something modern (ie. Passive Restraint System upgraded to something more modern, etc.).
Comlink (minor yet important):
The new NBC TV movie had Mike using a bluetooth earpiece to stay in touch with KITT. That was also a step backwards. If Mike is caught by the bad guys, the earpiece is easily visible to the enemy and will definitely be taken away to prevent Mike from using it to communicate with anyone. The wristwatch that Michael Knight used was more subtle and not easily detected and thus would allow him to still communicate with KITT even when tied up and captured by the bad guys. I believe the Knight Rider movie should continue with that and use a wrist watch as the communication link between Michael and KITT when Michael is away from the car. In addition, the watch can also have many abilities that will allow Michael Knight not only to communicate with KITT but also do things that normal wrist watches can't (some influence from James Bond but not too heavily). It can even be used to endorse a brand of watch but not too heavily (ie. Ford with KITT in the NBC TV movie as an example).
These are the factors I consider very vital in ensuring that the new car embodies the spirit, look and feel of the old KITT. The presentation of the car is also very vital and I think the original series did an amazing job of that. The way Michael is first introduced to KITT in the dark room with a red scanner moving back and forth. It is very interesting to note how much it resembles the way the audience is first introduced to KITT....a black dot in the distant desert, speeding towards you, blowing dust in its tracks, a red scanner slowly coming into focus, moving left and right, zooming past the camera above. The Knight Rider theme simply took that feel and look to another level. Our senses were absolutely indulged. This is what the Knight Rider movie needs to ensure it can replicate with a modern look and feel.
There are other factors such as the relationship between the car and Michael, the core belief of Knight Rider (One man can make a difference), etc. that are also very important and will need to be focused on heavily so that the movie successfully embodies the feel of Knight Rider but for a 2010 audience. My thread is simply a focus on the car itself.