Hot Rod (Cyberverse)

The name or term "Hot Rod" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Hot Rod (disambiguation).

Hot Rod is an Autobot from the Cyberverse continuity family.

"You get a driver to a funeral before he's actually dead, you've made history, darlin'."

Hot Rod is a very brave Autobot, to the point where his function within the Autobot ranks is "Daring Hero". According to Bumblebee, older Autobots consider him a show-off, but he is Bumblebee's favorite person to pull off reckless stunts with, and is always "down for a friendly race to prove that he rules the roads"; however, he will demand infinite rematches until he wins. This immaturity is probably why it's sometimes hard to realise that beneath the bravado lies a natural leader, with the right mix of skill, confidence and charisma to draw even the most unlikely ally to his side. Hot Rod is willing to die for his friends without a moments hesitation. But by living, he's able to inspire them to fight for themselves when it's needed most.

Fiction

Cyberverse cartoon

Voice actor: Travis Artz (English), Takuya Satō (Japanese), Alessandro Germano (Italian), Jhonny Torres (Latin-American Spanish), Alain Eloy (French), Sebastian Kluckert (German)

"Now when you shift the gear and that little needle on the tach goes into the red and reads 9000 RPMs, that's bad."

In the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, Hot Rod was a patron of Maccadam's. During one visit to the bar, he argued with Shadow Striker over who should've won the latest cube match. Maccadam's He was present at Maccadam's when the Iacon City cube team won. The Citizen

"I want you to go back out on that track and hit the pace car."

Sometime after the war had started, Hot Rod visited Velocitron with Bumblebee and was challenged to a race by Blurr. He got into an argument with the speedster when the latter failed to mention that part of the track was being repaired. This altercation was cut short with a crashing repair drone infected by a spreading epidemic and the Autobots were eventually forced to flee the planet in spite of Blurr's initial apprehension to leave his home. However, upon realizing that someone needed to stay behind to operate the space bridge, Blurr volunteered, despite Hot Rod's protests, revealing he had unwittingly caught the plague himself and couldn't risk spreading it. After commending the speedster's bravery, Hot Rod went through the portal with Bumblebee. Terminal Velocity

"Those tires are matched perfect and staggered special."

After arriving on Earth, Hot Rod was videoed falling into a chasm, winning the dubious honor of #1 on TOP3WEEKLY's "TOP ROBOT FAILS!!" video. Later he took part in a battle on Earth's moon where he and Prowl were ambushed by Shadow Striker while attempting to reach Shockwave's Planet Smasher. Later, after the device was destroyed, he was the first to spot the Decepticons retreating down a hidden elevator. He and Bumblebee attempted to stop them but the doors closed and the 'Cons descended into the moon. Sea of Tranquility

Toys

Cyberverse

One-Step Changers

• Autobot Hot Rod (1-Step Changer, 2019)
  • Japanese Name: Turbo Change Hot Rod
  • Japanese Release Date: December ???, 2019
  • Japanese ID Number: TCV-24
  • Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Released as part of the third wave of Cyberverse 1-Step Changers, Hot Rod transforms from supercar into a robot by twisting his front section of the vehicle. His left arm also features an Action Attack called "Fusion Flame", a spinning sawblade gimmick that homages his Generation 1 counterpart's sawblade.

• Sharkticons Attack (2020)
  • Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

A black repaint of the one-step figure above switching his red plastic out for black. He comes packaged with 3 small Sharkticon turbo-changer figures in a box labeled "Battle for Cybertron," and "Cybertronian Villains"

Warrior Class

• Autobot Hot Rod (Warrior Class, 2019)
  • Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Part of the third wave of Cyberverse Warrior Class toys, Hot Rod is a deluxe-sized mold that transforms from a robot into a supercar and back. Like all Warrior Class toys, Hot Rod features an attack gimmick; his "Fusion Flame" pops out transparent blue flame effects from his arms in a "rocket punch"-ish manner.

The cross-sell photo on Prowl and Soundwave's rear packaging erroneously depicts Hot Rod with a circular image of a Deception Logo on the side.

• Stealth Force Hot Rod (Warrior Class, January 2020)
  • Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Like the 1-step figure, this Warrior Hot Rod is also repainted into a stealth livery.

Tiny Turbo Changers

• Autobot Hot Rod (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2019)
  • Series: 1
  • Bag code: D

Part of the first Series of Cyberverse Tiny Turbo Changers, Hot Rod is a soft-plastic robot who transforms into a tiny Cybertronian supercar. In robot mode, his shoulder-pipes have flames shooting upwards, which don't have enough clearance to not bump into his back-spoiler, limiting his "useful" arm articulation.

This mold was also used to make Sideswipe.

Ultra Class

The Second Coming of Animated.

• Hot Rod (Ultra Class, 2020)
  • Accessories: Crossbow

Released as part of the reinvented Ultra Class lineup, Cyberverse Ultra Class Hot Rod is a voyager-sized mold that transforms from a robot into a Cybertronian supercar. Like the other Ultra Class toys, Hot Rod features a flip-out armor gimmick and he features a crossbow weapon.

This item was revealed via a leak from a Japanese catalog page before Hasbro announced it. Speaking of leaks, this Hot Rod was meant to be released for the Japanese markets by TakaraTomy, under the name "TCV-36 Weapon Trigger Hot Rod" with an April 2020 release date. Unfortunately, unlike the Deluxe Class figures, the toy's release is canceled due to either poor sales or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or both.

Deluxe Class

• Autobot Hot Rod (Deluxe Class, 2020)
  • Build-a-Figure part: Maccadam's right leg
  • Accessories: 2 effect parts
  • Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

This version of Hot Rod is a brand-new show accurate mold with more articulation and a more complex transformation. He comes with 2 flame effects to represent his flamethrower ability.

This item was revealed via a leak from a Japanese catalog page before Hasbro announced it, though with VERY faint yellow paint apps.

Notes

• As with several Cyberverse main characters, Hot Rod uses an evergreen design inspired by his Generation 1 counterpart.
• Rodimus Prime was never considered for the show, but the crew was adamant about portraying Hot Rod as someone who wanted to be a leader and was learning to be one.
• During the production of Chapter Two, the crew wanted Hot Rod to be super into Earth culture, such as winning races and driving off before humans could realize no one was in the car. However, they never had time to really get into that.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Hot Rod (ホットロッド Hotto Roddo)