Powertrain
- Powertrain is an Autobot Micromaster from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Powertrain is the cautious, by-the-book leader the Off Road Patrol. He approaches every problem with patience, carefully analyzing the best way to tackle it, be it interpersonal conflicts within the Autobot ranks (particularly with the standoffish Mudslinger) or sneaking into a Decepticon installation to blow it to kingdom come from within. Thankfully, he's also a pragmatist, and knows that sometimes, "by-the-book" isn't the answer, no matter how uncomfortable such a decision makes him.[1]
Fiction
Marvel Comics continuity
When the Autobots developed the micro-sized, energy efficient Micromasters, they considered the technology above top secret. They were so concerned with keeping the process out of Decepticon hands that each Micromaster was outfitted with a suicide device, and ordered to use it in lieu of capture. When the Battle Patrol were captured alive by Thunderwing, Powertrain and the other Micromasters were ordered to destroy the research facility and everyone inside rather than risk additional captures on a rescue mission. Despite their orders, the Autobot Micromasters braved the installation and rescued their comrades. Although the Decepticons now had Micromaster technology, everyone came back alive. A Small War!
Powertrain and the Off-Road Patrol developed a taste for insubordination on Cybertron, which may have been part of the reason Emirate Xaaron agreed to send them to Earth instead, as reinforcements for Optimus Prime's diminished army aboard the Ark. Alongside the Race Car Patrol, they warped to Earth and were greeted by Prime and Hi-Q. Optimus laid out a pair of recent news reports involving giant creatures spotted in the New Jersey swamps and unusual storm activity consolidating over Manhattan. Believing there was a Decepticon link between the stories, the Off-Road Patrol took to the swamps to seek out any clues. Mudslinger located the Decepticon Pretenders, Iguanus and Skullgrin, operating a stormmaker station in the swamp. Powertrain and the others soon arrived on the scene. As they engaged the enemy, Powertrain radioed Roadhandler and the Race Car Patrol to pick-up a human witness who fled the scene. The Off-Road Patrol managed to destroy the stormmaker, but the forces of nature were too far along to stop. Luckily, Roadhandler and his new friend, Cecilia Santiago, were able to stop Iguanus atop the Empire State Building and save New York City. King Con!
Staying on in New York, the Micromasters became local celebrities while using their skills to stop crime. Powertrain and Roadhandler caught some armed thieves outside of a grocery store. The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!
Zone story pages
When Victory Saber initiated the "Zone Project", the Off Road Patrol helped rebuild planet Micro into the new and improved planet Zone. To counter this threat, Violen Jiger began conquering worlds to build his own Decepticon Zone. All the Micromaster teams, including the Off Road Patrol, were then mobilized to patrol the galaxy, specifically planets where their special abilities would be most useful. Early on, the Off Road Patrol were sent to scout a rocky, mountainous planet. Zone Part 1
Later, King Poseidon and Trypticon were sent to conquer the aquatic world of Wall. The Off Road Patrol engaged them in battle and with the help of Commanders Overload, Erector, Missile Bull and Skywave, they emerged triumphant. Zone Part 3
When the Powered Masters flew off to the Tenth Planet for their showdown with Violen Jiger, all the Micromaster teams took command of Zone and vowed to keep it safe in their Commander's absence. Zone Part 10
Dreamwave comics continuity
Created after the launch of the Ark in a joint venture by the Autobots and Decepticons, Powertrain could first be seen hanging out in Little Iacon with his fellow Micromasters. He and Highjump were discussing Blaze Master, a Decepticon Micro they thought could be talked over onto the Autobot side. The Gray Race He was also among a crowd of freed Micromasters that had briefly been taken prisoner by the Insecticons in Little Iacon. Victims of the Revolution
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Powertrain and the rest of the "Off-Road Patrol" were part of the Micromaster assault on Hardhead and Nightbeat at Gorlam Prime. Spotlight: Hardhead
Toys
Generation 1
- Off Road Patrol (Micromaster Patrol, 1989)
- Powertrain transforms into an orange semi-trailer "sleeper cab" truck of made-up model. He was only available in a four-pack with his teammates Highjump, Mudslinger and Tote.
- This mold was also used to make Ironworks.
Zone
- Off Road Patrol Team (Micro TF Team, 1990)
- Japanese ID number: C-335
- The Off Road Patrol was sold in Japan a year later as part of the Zone series, with no notable changes from their Hasbro releases.
Notes
Foreign names
- Japanese: Freed (フリード Furīdo)
- French: Défonceur
- Italian: Terminus
