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 moment's 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), Rafael Quelle (Brazilian Portuguese)

"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."

"Those tires are matched perfect and staggered special."

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

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

While Wheeljack attempted to burn through the doors, Hot Rod readied himself alongside the other Autobots. The activation of the enormous planetary engines the Decepticons had built caused Wheeljack to lose control of his laser beam, and Hot Rod dove for cover before complaining his fresh wax job was almost singed. He joined Wheeljack and Prowl in Team 2 to take care of the engines, as the rest of the Autobots in Team 1 assaulted the bunker to take out the controls. Wheeljack asked how important it was to keep the Moon intact as part of disabling the engines, which prompted Hot Rod to remark that the humans would probably appreciate it being left in one piece. After Team 2 had reversed the planetary engine's thrust, Hot Rod stood with the other Autobots in a heroic lineup while Optimus addressed the people of Earth via video transmission. Bumblebee attempted to clue him in to a strange figure in the distance, but when Hot Rod turned around, they had vanished. Bad Moon Rising

"The good news is the accelerator's fixed. The bad news is the transmission's screwed."

Bumblebee tried to identify the being by questioning the Ark's crew but is less than successful; Hot Rod reminded Bee he was right next to him and didn't see anything before transforming and speeding off. Later, Optimus notified all Autobots they are to keep their distance from Grimlock until further notice. The warning comes too late for Hot Rod, who was almost immediately bowled over and magnetized to the Hyper Fuel and Mega-Magnetizer addled Dinobot. He casually asked Windblade if she was going to Grimlock's party later when she is magnetized alongside him. Their humor disappeared when more objects violently magnetized to them and Grimlock. Hot Rod bemoaned that everything in their lives is made of metal as he narrowly avoided being crushed by a chair. He is demagnetized by - and almost sucked into - a black hole that Bumblebee shot behind Grimlock using another of Wheeljack's inventions. Optimus's use of a force field blaster - yet another Wheeljack device - contained Grimlock (with Windblade still magnetized) and the singularity, saving Hot Rod. Bumblebee checked up on his friend, who suddenly saw the being from the moon outside the Ark. A chase ensues, the Autobots following the yellow-and-black creature into a cave. Hot Rod pulled ahead, almost catching up...only to disappear alongside the being in a flash of blue light. The Visitor

Transformers Stop Motion Series

While Hot Rod and Bumblebee were racing, they were attacked by Megatron, Clobber and Starscream. Optimus Prime eventually intervened to help them defeat the Decepticons.

Toys

Cyberverse

One-Step Changers

I create feelings in others that they themselves don't understand.

• 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 uses the same engineering as The Last Knight 1-Step Cogman and transforms from supercar into a robot by twisting the back section of the vehicle. His left arm also features a "Fusion Flame" Action Attack, a spinning saw 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 three Tiny Turbo Changer Sharkticon figures in a box labeled "Battle for Cybertron," and "Cybertronian Villains"

Warrior Class

I wanted to give the folks a little sizzle.

• 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 Action Attack gimmick; his "Fusion Flame" pops out transparent blue flame effects from little doors in his arms when they are spread outwards. This makes it look like the exhaust pipes on his forearms are jetting flame, just not really in the direction you'd expect for an attack...

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.

Snouts rule, am I right?!

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

Like the 1-step figure above, Warrior Hot Rod also received a black redeco, swapping the red parts for a metallic black plastic. He retains the "Fusion Flame" gimmick which still casts the flames in blue.

Product renders on the back of the packaging depict Hot Rod with bright blue wheels which are not present on the final toy.

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.

• Stealth Force Hot Rod (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2020)
  • Series: 3
  • Bag code: H2

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

Your father once vacationed in... New Jersey.

• 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.

Ultimate Class

King of the Plunger.

• Autobot Hot Rod (Ultimate Class, 2021)
  • Accessories: Hood weapon

Cyberverse Ultimate Class Hot Rod is a roughly leader-sized figure which transforms from robot mode to a Cybertronian supercar in approximately 9 steps. Pulling out the weapon accessory made from the car flames on his hood activates a spinning "Twist-N-Change" feature that rotates Hot Rod's torso in order to finish the transformation. This gimmick can also be activated in robot mode. His articulation in robot mode is limited, mostly confined to his arms. The figure also features a spring-loaded Energon Armor gimmick that flips down over Hot Rod's torso.

Notes

• As with several Cyberverse main characters, Hot Rod uses an evergreen design inspired by his Generation 1 counterpart.
• Hot Rod's "Stealth Force" coloration taken on during the events of Season 3 features dark red surfaces which the corresponding toys omit entirely. This leaves them bearing a striking resemblance to Dark Hot Rod, and this is indeed how the character is credited in "The Loop"! This paint-job also homages his live-action 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)