(Cover image: KITT Rendering - Image Courtesy: Harald Belker)

The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR will star as KITT, the super intelligent, computerized talking car in the new television series "Knight Rider," which is scheduled for Wednesday 24 September at 8:00/7:00 p.m. on NBC. The season premiere will be posted online a week before at NBC.com and Hulu.com on September 17.

KITT Rendering by Harald Belker	KITT in the Attack Mode by Harald Belker

In the new television series, the character of Michael Knight, played by actor Justin Bruening, teams up with the Shelby GT500KR to fight criminal forces that operate above the reach of traditional law enforcement.

"Knight Rider" Traceur will drive several versions of the Shelby GT500KR throughout the season. When the vehicle is under fire, it will transform into Attack mode.

Executive producer Gary Scott Thompson explained "We had Hollywood car designer Harald Belker create a tricked-out version of the Shelby, and we've done some really cool things to it."

He adds that the Shelby will transform into other Ford vehicles throughout the season: "In the season opener, it'll morph into an F-150 pickup, and there's a reason in the story that we need to do that."

"Mustang is the king of cool and one of the most recognized vehicles in cinema history [...] "The Shelby GT500KR was a perfect choice for this role" said Al Uzielli, senior advisor to Ford Global Brand Entertainment.

He adds that placing Ford products in popular television programs like "Knight Rider," does a lot for the vehicles and for Ford.

Additional images are available on Edmunds.com.

Video Interview with Harald Belker

(Source: MovieWeb) - Note: the video may have display issues on Internet Explorer 6

About Harald Belker

Harald Belker (Source: Inside Line)

Harald Belker was born in 1961, Düsseldorf, West Germany.

In 1990 he graduated with honors in Transportation Design at the Art Center College of Design.

He worked for Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany and then joined the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Orange County, California.

After his automotive design experience he started doing design work for the entertainment industry.

Among his works are many vehicles and props for movies such as Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Spider-Man, Minority Report and Superman.

His instructional DVDs, availalble for sale at The Gnomon Workshop, provide a detailed look at his design approach, from concept to execution.

David Hasselhoff and the 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Related Links:

• Official website: www.haraldbelker.com
• Instructional DVDs: www.thegnomonworkshop.com
• Article on 3D Reaction: "Featured Artist: Harald Belker"

About "Knight Rider" TV series (1982-1986)

The original Knight Rider American television series ran from 1982 to 1986.

The series was broadcast on NBC and starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a high-tech modern-day knight fighting crime.

Micheal Knight's intelligent talking car is KITT, an ultra sophisticated 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

For more information read the related page on Wikipedia.

(Source: Ford)