Knight Rider K.I.T.T. Car Review

It’s Not Just a Car

K.I.T.T. was not a car, but a highly advanced, artificially intelligent, and technologically advanced vehicle featured in the popular 1980s television series "Knight Rider." The show, which aired from 1982 to 1986, starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a crime fighter who used K.I.T.T. to assist him in his missions.

Equipped with a wide range of futuristic features, K.I.T.T. was a central character in the show and played a crucial role in helping Michael Knight fight crime and solve various mysteries. The show's combination of action, technology, and the iconic talking car made it a significant pop culture phenomenon during the 1980s.

Better Than Tesla Will Ever Be

In the early days of Tesla, passing allusions were made between Tesla models and K.I.T.T. not unlike those made between Elon Musk and Ironman. However, as the saying goes, “You are no Jack Kennedy.” In other words, in the hearts and minds of Knight Rider fans, K.I.T.T. will always be better than Tesla ever will, despite some similarities:

1. Advanced Artificial Intelligence: K.I.T.T. had a sentient computer system that could think, learn, and communicate with Michael Knight. The car's voice was provided by actor William Daniels (of the medical TV show “St. Elsewhere”).
2. Turbo Boost: K.I.T.T. had the ability to perform high-speed jumps, often used to clear obstacles or escape dangerous situations.
3. Self-driving Mode: The car could drive autonomously, allowing Michael Knight to focus on other tasks while K.I.T.T. handled the driving.
4. Anamorphic Equalizer: K.I.T.T. had the ability to change its appearance and mimic other vehicles, which was useful for undercover missions.
5. Weapons Systems: K.I.T.T. was equipped with non-lethal weapons like smoke screens, oil slicks, and missile launchers to assist in combat situations.
6. Super Pursuit Mode: This mode enhanced K.I.T.T.'s speed and agility, allowing it to travel at high speeds and make sharp turns.

Tesla Will Outlive K.I.T.T.

Unfortunately, Tesla will likely outlive the popularity of K.I.T.T. and the Knight Rider generation. Like many beloved memories, K.I.T.T. will become just that…a far-gone memory. Mention “Knight Rider” to today’s generation and you are likely to face either a blank stare, a look of pity…or some combination of both.

Story-wise, Knight Rider is creeping up on the side of becoming an anachronism, which actually might be a large part of its special appeal today. Much like the storylines of another, earlier popular show “The Incredible Hulk” staring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, both popular shows were basically damsel-in-distress scenarios…but not always, which appealed to a broader range of viewers.

In short, both shows were equally fun and shared much in common.

The good news is that for now---thanks in part to the pandemic and streaming videos and Knight Rider Historians---K.I.T.T. continues to live on. To learn everything there is to know about K.I.T.T. and the TV show, a Patreon site dedicated to all things Knight Rider is available.

Free K.I.T.T. Review

However, if you like your content free, here is a recent Car Wizard YouTube channel episode that is informative and fun to watch as the host goes over some repairs being done to a very good replica of the original K.I.T.T. 2000.

80’s Flashback! This Knight Rider K.I.T.T. car has issues! What’s wrong with it? It's so REALISTIC!

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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