Just arrived: Hot Wheels Elite K.A.R.R. from the Knight Rider TV series

Just landed on the editorial desk at Diecast Collector, along with the pair of Ferrari Spiders reviewed in the separate news piece, is this 1/18 scale model of K.A.R.R. that featured in the ‘80s action-adventure television series, Knight Rider. Model no BCT86 retails at a whopping £174.99 but is packed with features and gadgets.

K.A.R.R. (Knight Automated Roving Robot) is a black and grey customised 1982 Pontiac Trans Am and is the major antagonist of K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) in the popular series. K.A.R.R. was a prototype vehicle created before K.I.T.T. by Wilton Knight himself and was immediately deactivated because it featured a serious problem in the system: it was programmed exclusively for self-preservation and not to protect human life (unlike K.I.T.T.). Stored away in the Knight Museum of Technology, K.A.R.R. was re-activated by mistake and becomes a very dangerous enemy for K.I.T.T.

With working 'mode' light to the nose (orange for K.A.R.R. to differentiate from the red of K.I.T.T.) activated by a push button under the nose, the model also features flip-up/retractable headlights (by way of a switch mechanism underneath the car), opening doors, bonnet and boot (or hood and tailgate if you prefer!), ejector seats, flip-up/removeable T-bar sunroof panels, folding rear seats and revolving rear number plate. There are even four missiles underneath the chassis but these are non-working. Lots of fun to be had here and a great display piece too.

For more information: www.hotwheels-elite.com/model-cars-miniature/cult-classics-collection/938/karr-knight-automated-roving-robot.php.