Ford has just released a press release confirming that the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR will star as the next KITT on the new Knight Rider TV series.
David Hasselhoff will return in the new series, but the main character is now going to be played by Justin Bruening who plays Knight's long-lost son Michael Tracer. Bruening will be driving around the 540 horsepower GT500KR.
Ford is going to use the show to promote its new SYNC voice activated information and entertainment system. There will also be Ford commercials throughout the two hour program.
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PRESS RELEASE:
2008 FORD SHELBY GT500KR LANDS STARRING ROLE ON KNIGHT RIDER
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 13, 2007 — When the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR launches this spring don’t be surprised if there’s some confusion over what the letters “KR” stand for.
While the super car has been known to racing fans as “King of the Road” since 1968, it’s about to star in a remake of the hit TV series Knight Rider making mix-ups inevitable.
“It’s purely a coincidence and a nice one at that,”" said Al Uzielli a senior advisor, to Ford Global Brand Entertainment the Ford office in Beverly Hills which works to place Ford branded vehicles in movies, TV and other media. “Auto enthusiasts will know what KR stands for. But most viewers will probably think it means Knight Rider; at least at first.”
The popular American television series which ran from 1982 to 1986 starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a kind of modern day “knight”. His partner was an advanced Pontiac Trans Am with artificial intelligence. Not only could it talk, it could morph into an attack vehicle that accelerated to 300 mph, used a Turbo Boost to jump over obstacles and even drive itself.
In the new version, Hasselhoff returns, but the lead character is now Justin Bruening who plays Knight’s long-lost son Michael Tracer. Replacing the Pontiac is the KR which in real-life is about to launch a 40th anniversary limited edition with an engine output estimated at 540 horsepower.
But Knight Rider is more than just the product integration of a Ford vehicle into a plot line; it’s also a media sponsorship with commercials and promotions for Ford products interjected throughout the two hour program. If the ratings are good, NBC plans to turn the show into a weekly series this fall.
Knight Rider will provide Ford with the opportunity to showcase its new SYNC voice activated information and entertainment technology into the storyline in vehicles like the Focus and Edge. The arrangement allows NBC and Ford to co-promote both the movie and the cars at special events, in theaters, in print and on the internet.
“This is a completely car-centric show and my understanding is that NBC was heavily pursued by both GM and Chrysler,” Uzielli said. “We landed it because not only did we have the perfect car, we had the right logistics. Our advertising agency Teamdetroit had strong contacts on the business side and our team at Ford Global Brand Entertainment had a close relationship with the creative side including the new head of NBC Entertainment Ben Silverman.”
For many Knight Rider fans the casting of the car known as KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is as important as the lead character.
In the movie version, KITT’s supercomputer is capable of hacking almost any system and its body – thanks to its creator’s work and nanotechnology – is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal good cop partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car – and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.
For designers, the first challenge of creating a screen version of the “King of the Road” 2008 Shelby GT500KR, was that the car isn’t even on the road yet. The solution was to go to Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) who is well-known for creating one-of-a-kind vehicles in the California market.
GAS had one week to create the new KITT, and they pulled out all the stops. Six people worked full time to create the Mustang that would be sent over to Picture Car Warehouse as the father of all the KITT derivatives and stunt cars.
Not only does KITT make its appearance as a GT500KR but Knight Rider fans get to see KITT in three modes – HERO, ATTACK and camouflage versions.
The HERO is a standard 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR and the ATTACK is a further modified high-speed version.
The GT500KR is built up from a Mustang GT with an automatic transmission to facilitate the driving scenes, stunts, and camera work necessary to produce the great action scenes in the movie. Stunt versions were also built for doing all of the aggressive driving maneuvers.
The ATTACK version was designed by Harold Belker who is also responsible for the vehicles in movies like Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Deep Blue Sea, Inspector Gadget, Battlefield Earth, Spider-Man, Minority Report, XXX, The Cat in the Hat and Superman.
Working with Belker was Ted Moser of Picture Car Warehouse and 25 automotive specialists who, created six variations of the GT500KR. The ATTACK car features a new rear bumper cover, two-tiered spoiler, side scoops and custom rocker panels… not to mention a completely modified interior to accommodate creative needs, shooting and post production computer graphics.
“Ford wanted to keep KITT as close to the Mustang Shelby GT500KR as possible,” Belker said. “Some may say the ATTACK version is a little over the top, but this isn’t about reinventing design language, it’s about being entertaining.”
By the time Knight Rider debuts in February, a Mustang will have already had extensive media exposure in the movie I Am Legend which opens December 17. Starring Will Smith, the story gives major screen time to a Ford Shelby GT500. Between the two roles, the Mustang brand is about to get three months worth of the kind of Hollywood visibility not often seen by one product – or for that matter one star.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like this,” said Cindy Stacy, senior vice president and director of national broadcast for Teamdetroit. “The important thing is that while the Mustang has a starring role in both projects, other Ford vehicles are integrated throughout the films. In fact, in Knight Rider I think just about every Ford vehicle is accounted for.”
While some may see the timing of the two projects as pure luck, Frank Zazza, considered a legend in the product integration industry for placing products like Reese’s Pieces in the movie ET and Junior Mints in a well known episode of Seinfeld, says it’s more.
“You can only call it luck if you realize that being lucky is being prepared when the opportunity comes,” he said. “The people at Ford were prepared and they knew how to act quickly. They have been excellent at finding quality projects and putting the right vehicles into the right parts.”
Comments (26)
The 2 spoilers looks horrid.. I hope they rethink that before they film it. Pretty sure that'd even make Vin diesel vomit.
Posted by Chris | December 14, 2007 2:48 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 14:48
"mls/h" ?! This car wasn't designed by a car guy, was it?
I'm surprised you can't just buy entire Mustangs a la carte and get " Edition" emblems - so many versions of this car.
I think this looks a bit goofy, like a Dodge Ram, but it's not horrendous.
Posted by Jason Beck | December 14, 2007 3:01 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 15:01
Yes, the dual spoilers are to much ricer-oni even for me. How do you make an ugly car look worse? Words cannot describe that process as well as this car can.
Posted by Allen | December 14, 2007 3:32 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 15:32
That is the most ugliest thing i have ever seen!! I would rather them just use the old trans am before the discontinued it!! The car is suppose to be stealthy, putting the word KITT on the steering wheel i think gives it away!!
sooo sad and i was a huge Knight Rider fan
Posted by CtK | December 14, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 15:43
Yawn. LoL @ Mls/h, I guess mph just wasn't cool enough.
Posted by Reggie | December 14, 2007 6:57 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 18:57
So, after Transformes being a GM showcase pretty much, they let Ford steal one of their most iconic shows. I wonder how much did this little feat cost Ford...(and will ford actually meka a sellable replica or will the history repeat with car dealeres laughing at people wanting a KITT trans am?)
boooo I want a freaking trans am! (rebadge the damn camaro if you have to)
somewhere on the web they showed a movie poster of the Knight Rider movie with a much less ricey Koenigsegg CCX......
Posted by SVT | December 14, 2007 7:22 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 19:22
Wish they had waited for the new Chevy Camaro.. from the front it just looks more like KITT, this mustang just looks bleh..
Posted by Go4broke | December 14, 2007 8:22 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 20:22
So they've gone from a car that seemed like a NASA effort at the time to something Pimp My Ride could knock out in a few days. Wonder which one's going to tank more, the car or the show?
Posted by brad | December 14, 2007 10:26 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 22:26
very sad, the movie and the car
Posted by rene | December 15, 2007 2:10 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 02:10
Mustang being used as the next KITT! WTF? KITT was a bird, not a stang, that's just stupid. Custom mod a firebird or the new Camero to make it look like a concept firebird or something, but don't use a mustang for KITT.
Besides that Knightrider mustang is ugly as sin in the front. I mean double turn signal lights? Is this the Knightrider car or the station wagon from the National Lampoon's Vacation movie......
Posted by SteelCity1981 | December 15, 2007 6:21 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 06:21
As a huge fan of the 1980's Knight Rider series, I too am appalled at the new KITT being a Mustang. That thing is fugly. I was pissed when they used a rebodied Dodge Stealth in the 1991 TV movie "Knight Rider 2000" (remember that one?) but at least they hid it with a bunch of different body work. I agree that GM f___ed this one up badly. I just pray that William Daniels is the voice. I'll probably still watch it, but with clinched teeth.
Posted by ZzjitterzZ | December 15, 2007 8:05 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 08:05
Ford also ponied up craploads of money to put their vehicles in "I Am Legend." I laughed my ass off in the opening scene when Will Smith is hunting deer in a GT500.
I thought "if he just used a Audi S5, and its New York they have those, he would've already caught the deer." Better traction, and turn-taking ability please. And it has a bigger trunk (indeed, the S5's trunk reminds me of old-school Lincolns and Caddys).
Posted by Allen | December 15, 2007 4:37 PM
Posted on December 15, 2007 16:37
I just want to say this car aint pretty. but as far as I am Legend, the Shelby GT500 was sweet. Every moment that car was on screne rocked. it sounded as good as it looked. sure, its not foreign, but a friend told me americans DO know how to make cars. sounds crazy huh? go american automotive engineering (i am one)
Posted by Will | December 15, 2007 9:48 PM
Posted on December 15, 2007 21:48
That whole car is busted-ass ugly!! I like the look of the other one w/o all the BS cladding.
Posted by Sabby | December 17, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on December 17, 2007 08:54
Kitt was a 'bird, this is a sellout. I agree, the new Camaro would be a better choice.
The double tail is just silly. The new Mustang needs a nosejob in general, too. I don't like the 'sad' looking headlights.
I don't like slamming Mustangs because I appreciate what Ford is trying to do, which is making an affordable 300hp coupe. Fortunately they are still easy to mod. When I was growing up a buddy of mine had a '65 fastback with a 289 and a Hurst 4-speed. Ah, memories.
Anyway, this particular Mustang is a marketing joke.
Posted by Kell | December 17, 2007 10:20 AM
Posted on December 17, 2007 10:20
The one with the double wing and other add-ons is supposed to be the 'super-mode' of the car, it will normally be the standard Shelby GT-KR500, not that it's really all that normal to begin with. Go back and look at the super-mode from the old show, KITT looked pretty ridiculous like that as well.
Posted by Knight3058 | December 17, 2007 11:11 AM
Posted on December 17, 2007 11:11
Apparently they forgot what made KITT so bad ass. It was simple, and didn't look like anything special, aside from the light up front. This thing is horrendous.
Posted by Polynikes | December 17, 2007 1:29 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 13:29
My gudness FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500, You are my heero in Ford Street Racing game, and it is my favorites GAME! and you are my favorites CAR! with the racing strip!
But when its come like this, YOU does'nt look GOOD! with kit KITT KR, triple K?
K.O!
You looks like a MONSTER! UGLY MONSTER!
Posted by mucacashelby | December 23, 2007 11:51 AM
Posted on December 23, 2007 11:51
If this car will be on TV, she will be a celebrity!!! Morever,she's beautiful, everybody will like this monster car.
Posted by paul | December 26, 2007 11:13 AM
Posted on December 26, 2007 11:13
The film must be cool...
Posted by paul | December 26, 2007 11:18 AM
Posted on December 26, 2007 11:18
The good: this thing will realy stand out
The bad: KITT's not suppose to stand out
Posted by Tommy Boy | February 12, 2008 6:01 PM
Posted on February 12, 2008 18:01
this car should have been a gm product preferable the new camaro but the new mustang is hot too only if i was behind the wheel because the camaro is faster then mustang .
Posted by eric | February 17, 2008 10:37 PM
Posted on February 17, 2008 22:37
Ok i know that not too many cars could replace KITT. But i am a big mustang fan, amoung other cars as well. The while body kit that you all see with the twin wings is nothing more then the SPM.(super pursuit mode ) of KITT. It doesn't stay like that the whole time. Just like the old KITT (2000)...!
The KR is a bad ass car none the less...! Plus u can buy the car as is like that.! (-KITT props)
No one has even seen a production model of the camaro.! This is a TV show..so they can't spend all that money like Transformers did.( plus it was a GTO that looked like the new camaro)
Who knows the could have used the new Nissan GTR (35) as well.......lol...j/k..!
Posted by tyrone | February 26, 2008 10:51 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 22:51
where can u get that kit in canada
Posted by micheal | March 21, 2008 1:30 PM
Posted on March 21, 2008 13:30
this is a sick car i wounder what it can really do out side the fillmes. Hay buddy
Posted by Robert | April 1, 2008 1:31 PM
Posted on April 1, 2008 13:31
I have never seen a bigger buncha jealous people together in one place at the same time ! Suck it up, people, and buy that Mustang you're all raggin' on and be done with it. Your collective hardons for the Mustang is showing. Actually, you're flattering Ford Motor Co. big time !
Posted by Annie | June 13, 2008 3:32 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 15:32