Our detective work's paid off on yesterday's rumor on the new KITT. Now not only do we have off the record confirmation from the "involved parties" that KITT will lose the GM third generation F-body (and legions of mullet-swinging fans), but also that he'll be moving up a few steps on the horsepower ladder. That's right, everyone's favorite talking car (no, not spelled K-A-R-R) will be played by a black-with-gray-stripes 550 HP Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang in the new Knight Rider TV show. And thanks to a very helpful tipster who's preference is to remain anonymous (we don't blame 'em) we've got the proof to show you -- photos taken from inside of the vehicle build facility out in LA where they're prepping the new Knight Industries 'stang for Cylon-like close-ups. Yes friends, this is the new KI Two Thousand -- who wants to touch it? I said, who wants to touch it? OK, well how about just your two cents? Anybody?

...but also that he'll be moving up a few steps on the horsepower ladder... will be played by a black-with-gray-stripes 550 HP Ford Shelby GT500KR

John LeBlanc

Special to the Star

Dec 05, 2007

Knightrider rides again -- on a pony.

If you’re a fan of General Motors’ third-generation 1982-92 F-body Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, get ready to be disappointed.


Autoblog.com is reporting that U.S. TV network NBC has signed off on a new Knight Rider made-for-TV movie. Replacing the Michael Knight character that actor/singer David Hasselhoff played between 1982-86 will be former soap star Justin Bruening.


More importantly, NBC is dumping the original Firebird Trans Am-based "Knight Industries Two Thousand" car with — of all things — a Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang.


Why the remorse for Trans Am fans?


Looking back, the rear-drive Pontiac 2+2 sports coupe was relatively high tech for the time. Okay, its 145 hp V8 was a bit wheezy. And its build quality was right up there with that gingerbread house your kids are working on for Christmas.


But remember, these were the Dark Ages for the car industry. At least the ‘Bird’s aerodynamic front end and swoopy rear backlight were way cooler than a contemporary Toyota Celica Supra.


So if this new Michael Knight is supposed to be driving an “advanced smart car with artificial intelligence,” what’s with the retro Shelby in this revival?


No offence to 'Stang lovers. With its very non-independent rear axle, woolly steering and retro looks, anyone calling the Shelby “cutting edge” is still watching Knight Rider reruns with a TV hooked up to an aerial and working on their Mamas and Papas LP collection.


Pontiac goes Down Under, again.


Speaking of retro, pickup.com is confirming that a pickup version of Pontiac’s forthcoming Australian-built G8 sedan is a go.


Yup, you read that right, a pickup.


Bob Lutz, GM's vice-chairman of product development, expressed hopes that GMC would sell the two-door, two-seat pickup as the new Caballero, in honour of 1978-87 car-based GMC Caballero (not to be confused with the Simpson’s fictitious Canyonero SUV that “smells like a steak and seats 35...” But I digress.)


Instead, the name of Pontiac's truck/car will be the “G8 ST,” short for Sport Truck. It will only be sold with a new 6.0-litre V8 and no V6. Pricing is expected to start at $31,000 (U.S.) and versions of GM mid-size sedans are to join a wagon version “by the end of the decade.”

The new vehicle has not been confirmed for sale in Canada, but is slated to debut at the Detroit auto show in January.

The death of the GMC Caballero and its Chevy El Camino counterpart in 1987 was mainly due to the rising popularity of compact pickups like the Chevy S-10. Popular Down Under, these vehicles are known as “Utes.”


The G8 ST Ute will probably be a blast to drive. Especially with no weight in the cargo bed.


But is a two-seat, muscle pickup/car the answer to a question no one is asking? Whom does GM think this vehicle will appeal to?


Maybe The General knows something we don’t.


Either that or short memory syndrome may be setting in.


This will be GM’s second crack at a V8 sports truck in the last decade. The last one was Chevrolet’s SSR, which sold only 24,0000 copies between 2003-06.

Are you satisfied?

That’s the question Consumer Reports asked its readers for its Car Owner Satisfaction Survey. The results, to be published in its January issue, and released this week on ConsumerReports.org, held few surprises.
Industry watchers will see little news in that Japanese brands fill nearly half of the winners’ circle. Or that Toyota takes 10 of the top 39 spots and the Detroit Three takes seven. Or for that matter, that domestic brands account for 20 of the 22 vehicles listed on Consumer Reports’ list of least-pleasing vehicles.

Funnily enough, many of the vehicles that Consumer Reports as the least satisfying — such as the Chevrolet Uplander and Ford Freestar — were also reported as depreciation disasters here in last week’s column.

way cooler than a contemporary Toyota Celica Supra.