Pontiac Firebird Turbo T/A - KITT version

Pontiac Firebird Turbo T/A - KITT Version

Designer:	Zapper
Released:	2020
Game version:	1.1
Engine specs:	RW Drive, V6-turbo, 3,791cc
Torque peak at:	3000 rpm (6400-11500 rpm "Pursuit mode")
Max horsepower (est.):	250 hp (3000 hp "Pursuit mode")
Transmission:	4
0-60mph:	4.8s
0-100mph:	13.s (6s "Pursuit mode")
Half mile:	?
Flat track top speed:	164 mph
Real top speed :	245 mph ("Pursuit mode")

Performance data refers to BB 1.1 version unless the car is for 1.0 versions only.

The Pontiac Firebird Turbo T/A - KITT Version is a custom car by Zapper.

Development

The creation of this car started back in 2011.

Although most of the 3rd generation "Pontiac Firebird Trans Am" that appears in Knight Rider TV series between 1982 and 1985 were powered by 5.7L V8, in Stunts it era was more appropriate to use an 1989 "Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary version" with its 3.8L V6 Turbo engine as a base car for this incurrence, also because it was one of the fastest 3rd genneration through the model production years.

Since this was a KITT version, performance tunning had to acomplish, as much as possible, special features like: better grip, more breaking capacity, and inclusion of the "Pursuit mode".

The 3D Modeling was made over Corvette's base, using Anim8or, with KITT blueprints as reference.

The two paint jobs included normal black KITT and a black/grey KARR colour scheme.

The dash board was made from scratch using several pictures from the show found in a forum post. It shows a functional digital speedometer and a simulated bar type tachometer trough 5250rpm (real redline) although it has a visible up to 9000rpm scale.

The release of version 1.1 brought an automatic console appearance (left labels) adapted to manual (right labels).

Performance

Performance figures were based on detailed information in the car review article.

The "Pursuit mode" is only triggered in "Manual" gear box setting leaving "Auto" gear box for normal/"real" base model acceleration figures.

To activate it, is necessary to keep accelerating through the same gear further the "normal" redline (5250rpm), e.g. accelerating in 1st gear over 50MPH, in order to get high revving torque values.

With its power rating up to 3000 HP at 11000RPM (measured by "Caredit3") the speed of 245MH is quickly achieved.

The trade off of this great acceleration figures was the resulting poor handling mainly caused by car's weight.