The first season of Knight Rider, the iconic television series starring David Hasselhoff, was released to the public on the 26th of September, 1982. That means the 40th anniversary of the action crime drama is just around the corner, and Hot Wheels is marking the occasion with a limited-edition 1982 Pontiac Trans Am diecast replica of the series’ artificially intelligent hero car, K.I.T.T.
Hot Wheels recently unveiled a unique Pontiac Trans Am K.I.T.T. diecast model with a working LED scanner bar, emulating the original “anamorphic equalizer,” from the series, along with an accurate gloss black-painted exterior with black wheels and a blue and yellow California plate reading “Knight.” Users will be able to recharge the diecast via a charging port in the bottom of the vehicle.
View this post on Instagram
Hot Wheels staff product designer Brendon Vetuskey said the K.I.T.T. model marks the first time the company has been able to integrate a working LED light bar into a smaller diecast model. K.I.T.T. also features a full interior, further setting it apart from regular Hot Wheels cars.
“So what makes this car different from all the previous Hot Wheels castings is it has a working scanner, which we’ve never been able to do in 1:64 scale before,” Vetuskey explained. “Also equally impressive is we still have an interior, so we still have the dashboard, the seats, we even added a courtesy cover in the trunk, so it’s a little point of difference from our mainline castings.”
K.I.T.T. was based on a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, with the vehicle’s A.I. system voiced by actor William Daniels. The vehicle is one of the more iconic cars from the small screen, joining the ranks of the Dukes of Hazzard’s General Lee and the original Batmobile.
The Hot Wheels K.I.T.T. model will be available to purchase via Hot Wheels web shop on July 22nd, 2022, or from the Mattel booth at the San Diego Comic Con later this month.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Pontiac Trans Am news, Pontiac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Cool… think not all loved the TV Series, but the car for sure
I have one of the original models and will be going to try to get one of these. Growing up I always wanted a real Kitt Transam and see them for sale in car selling magazines
Probably was my favorite show as a kid. When I was 10, I got my picture taken while sitting inside K.I.T.T. About 20 years ago, I seen a replica in a parking lot, so I chatted with the owner. It had all the doo-dads. The scanner on the front is super cool to see in person.
This is the show that started my love affair with cars (and GM specifically)—I was 11 when it premiered.
I had the opportunity a few years back to sit inside one of the actual filming cars from the show. It was one of the hero cars (with the complete interior) that was saved. It was hard to squeeze into the driver’s seat with all the extra stuff added around the steering “wheel”. I have no idea how the Hoff made it look so easy! That said, I was super happy to get the chance!
Owning a black Pontiac in this era was a pure pain in the A$$. I hated everyone that yelled Kitt at my car. It would not have been so bad if the show was not that bad.
It could have been worse. You name could be Michael.
Where did THOSE Years go. This was a good show growing up but the Pontiac Trans Am was the star and showcased the vehicles GM were offering at the time. Closest thing I got to buy here in Oz was a Black 1986 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z with T Tops. Had it since 2000. Still love it and the their shapes.