Knight Rider was a primetime hit during the ?80s not just because of David Hasselhoff who played the lead role of Michael Knight but more of the car KITT - an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand - a name given to the fictional computer that controls the high-tech Knight 2000 which is a black Pontiac Trans Am T-top automobile. The KITT was equipped with only high quality Pontiac parts which makes this KITT the car that we will always admire. The voice used for KITT was provided by St. Elsewhere and 1776 star William Daniels who doesn't want to be credited for his work.
KITT has been recently spotted at the Tokyo Auto Salon and not just one KITT but two KITTS which is really exciting especially for the avid fans of Knight Rider.
Aside from always saving Michael Knight's life, KITT also boasts of many features most of which are activated with just a simple push of a button panels mounted on either side of the steering wheel or on a console mounted on the ceiling of the interior. Many of the button functions were change from episode to episode. Some were used once and never again seen on succeeding episodes.
KITT's features include the following:
?Computer AI
?Alpha Circuit
?Molecular Bonded Shell
?Pyroclastic Lamination
?Power System
?Turbo boost
?Voice synthesizer
?Anamorphic equalizer
?Etymotic equalizer
?Olfactory Sensor
?Microscanners
?Cruise Modes
1.Normal
2.Auto Cruise
3.Pursuit
?Computer Override
?Manual Override
?Police Lights/Siren
?Silent Mode
?Grappling hook and winch
?Parachute
?Oil jets/smoke screen
?Flame thrower
?Tear gas launcher
?Untramagnesium charges
?High traction drop downs
?Traction spikes
?Telephone comlink
?Microwave jammer
?Surveillance mode
?Infrared tracking scope
?Laser powerpack
?Bomb sniffer
?Medical scanner
?Deflatable tires
?Fuel processor
?Self-tinting windows
?Voice stress analyzer
?Auto doors, sunroof, and trunk lid
?Rotating license plate
?Seat ejection system
?Passive laser restraint system
?Video display monitors
?Computer print out
?Ultraphonic chemical analyzer
?Fire extinguisher
?Interior oxygenator
?Two-wheel drive ski drive
?Third stage aquatic synthesizer
?Sub zero
?Sleep gas
?Vacuum
?Super-pursuit mode
?Emergency braking system
?Convertible roof
?Homing device
?Knight Industries Mobile Unit (The Semi)
Total production cost of KITT in 1982 was $11,400,000. The cost of the new equipments added has not been factored but basing from previous production cost it would probably cost more today.