Not only does KITT make its appearance as a GT500KR but Knight Rider fans get to see KITT in three modes – HERO, ATTACK and camouflage versions.

The HERO is a standard 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR and the ATTACK is a further modified high-speed version.

The GT500KR is built up from a Mustang GT with an automatic transmission to facilitate the driving scenes, stunts, and camera work necessary to produce the great action scenes in the movie. Stunt versions were also built for doing all of the aggressive driving maneuvers.

The ATTACK version was designed by Harold Belker who is also responsible for the vehicles in movies like Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Deep Blue Sea, Inspector Gadget, Battlefield Earth, Spider-Man, Minority Report, XXX, The Cat in the Hat and Superman.

Working with Belker was Ted Moser of Picture Car Warehouse and 25 automotive specialists who, created six variations of the GT500KR. The ATTACK car features a new rear bumper cover, two-tiered spoiler, side scoops and custom rocker panels... not to mention a completely modified interior to accommodate creative needs, shooting and post production computer graphics.

“Ford wanted to keep KITT as close to the Mustang Shelby GT500KR as possible,” Belker said. “Some may say the ATTACK version is a little over the top, but this isn’t about reinventing design language, it’s about being entertaining.”

By the time Knight Rider debuts in February, a Mustang will have already had extensive media exposure in the movie I Am Legend which opens December 17. Starring Will Smith, the story gives major screen time to a Ford Shelby GT500. Between the two roles, the Mustang brand is about to get three months worth of the kind of Hollywood visibility not often seen by one product – or for that matter one star.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like this,” said Cindy Stacy, senior vice president and director of national broadcast for Teamdetroit. “The important thing is that while the Mustang has a starring role in both projects, other Ford vehicles are integrated throughout the films. In fact, in Knight Rider I think just about every Ford vehicle is accounted for.”

While some may see the timing of the two projects as pure luck, Frank Zazza, considered a legend in the product integration industry for placing products like Reese’s Pieces in the movie ET and Junior Mints in a well known episode of Seinfeld, says it’s more.

“You can only call it luck if you realize that being lucky is being prepared when the opportunity comes,” he said. “The people at Ford were prepared and they knew how to act quickly. They have been excellent at finding quality projects and putting the right vehicles into the right parts.”

When the going gets tough, the GT500KR transforms into "Attack" mode.

Both the "Hero" and "Attack" versions of KITT made a press appearance during the series's announcement last December.