Hot Rod (Cyberverse)

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

Appearing out of a GroundBridge portal near the Nemesis, he encountered Clobber and Lockdown, and asked them if they’d seen a "moon cheetah". The two Decepticons, both in sticky situations, saw an opportunity in Hot Rod, and captured him to present to Megatron. As he was led through the Nemesis, Hot Rod continued to banter and ask Slipstream if she’d seen the moon cheetah. The two Decepticons brought Hot Rod to Megatron, who congratulated them and used Hot Rod as a bargaining chip in a ploy to lure Optimus and defeat him. Seeing no moon cheetah, Hot Rod melted his cuffs and fled the Nemesis, pursued by the Decepticons. Bring Me The Spark Of Optimus Prime

Hot Rod congratulated Wheeljack on finding the AllSpark, and remained with the Autobots when Optimus went through the GroundBridge alone, and when Optimus returned with Cheetor and the news of the AllSpark being taken by Starscream. Trials

Hot Rod was on the bridge of the Ark as Cheetor explained the mysteries of the AllSpark, lamenting the loss of the AllSpark to Megatron and encouraging Cheetor that the Autobots would retrieve it. Hot Rod later was part of the assault on the Nemesis to retrieve the AllSpark. Him, Bumblebee and Cheetor encountered Clobber and Lockdown, sending them running with his flamethrower. He was later present when Cheetor talked to Optimus and Megatron. Dark Birth

Hot Rod sat with Bumblebee and Cheetor as the negotiations proceeded, and later encountered Shadow Striker and Prowl making friends. When the negotiations broke down due to Bludgeon’s actions, Hot Rod and Bumblebee came to Windblade’s rescue, and watched Slipstream go offline. Parley

Hot Rod investigated the abandoned missile silo with Windblade, Cheetor and Bumblebee. Returning to the Ark, the Autobots received a distress call from the Nemesis. Arriving at the Nemesis, Hot Rod remarked on the creepiness of the ship, repeatedly. The Autobots investigated an ominous sound and found a Decepticon soldier drained of Energon, followed by more immobile Decepticons. The Autobots discovered and engaged a swarm of Scraplets, Hot Rod saved a downed Cheetor, and was himself overrun. Hot Rod was later restored along with everyone else on board by an energy wave from the AllSpark. Starscream's Children

Hot Rod was on the bridge of the Ark when Windblade reported finding no sign of Starscream, and was ordered to scout with Bumblebee. He politely declined Cheetor’s offer of help. Spotted

Hot Rod was on the bridge of the Ark when Sky-Byte attacked. He confronted Sky-Byte with the Autobots and recounted the tale of Sky-Byte’s apparent demise in a supernova. He was also present when Jetfire greeted the Autobots and asked for help in defeating Sky-Byte. Infinite Vendetta

While Optimus was unconscious, Hot Rod organized the Autobots to put Optimus’s plan into action, using remote controlled shuttles to distract the Decepticons. When all five shuttles were destroyed, Hot Rod ordered the Ark to launch. When Sky-Byte attacked the Ark, Hot Rod and the Autobots fended him off, only to be assaulted by the Nemesis. When the Decepticons pretended to blow up the Space Bridge, Hot Rod lamented its apparent destruction. Escape From Earth

At the surprise party the Autobots threw for Optimus, Hot Rod called for him to give a speech. He later challenged Prowl to a race. When Starscream sabotaging Wheeljack’s Allspark emitter badges drove the Autobots into a frenzy, Hot Rod fought Bumblebee, crashed into Prowl, and later returned to normal when Optimus undid Starscream’s work. Party Down

Hot Rod and Bumblebee cleaned the windows on the Ark when the Ark entered an asteroid field. When Teletraan-X reported strong solar winds, Hot Rod excitedly suggested solar wave boarding to Bumblebee and Cheetor. The three Autobots exited the Ark, catching some gnarly solar waves, until they discover the ruins of a Sharkticon temple. They rebuilt the ruins, only to nearly get caught in a solar wave, and the three Autobots were separated. Hot Rod encountered and joined The Snouts, reuniting with Bee and Cheetor at The Park. When Cheetor succeeded in uniting the Sharkticon factions against the 3 Autobots, Hot Rod and the others fled on their solar wave boards, and were rescued by the Ark. Wiped Out

When Windblade stole the AllSpark, Optimus ordered Hot Rod, along with Cheetor and Bumblebee, to accompany him. The away team arrived on the mysterious planet where Windblade had taken the AllSpark. They found Windblade frantically digging in the ground, and Hot Rod was handily repelled when he attempted to retrieve the AllSpark. The Autobots followed Windblade underground, and were accosted by ancient security systems when Cheetor went after Windblade. Hot Rod and the others could do nothing but watch in horror as Windblade activated the AllSpark, awakening the ancient Titan, Croaton. After the Titan told his story, Hot Rod returned with Windblade and the rest of the away team to the Ark. Ghost Town

Hot Rod was among the extremely bored Autobots on the bridge of the Ark. He was frozen with the rest of the crew when an electromagnetic storm hit the Ark. After being reactivated, Hot Rod stole a shuttle with Bumblebee. Perfect Storm

Hot Rod was on the bridge of the Ark when it traveled through a derelict space bridge, arriving in unspace. When a duplicate of the Ark approached, Hot Rod (and his duplicate on said Ark) were amazed in unison. When the two crews met in the Ark’s hangar, the two Hot Rods admired each other’s paintwork. The Crossroads

Hot Rod was on the bridge of the Ark when Jetfire and Windblade reported no visible Decepticon activity on Cybertron. He later listened to Optimus’ speech with the rest of the crew. He excitedly discussed his plans for returning to Cybertron with Grimlock, Arcee and Drift, intending to go racing on the Lithium Flats. Battle For Cybertron I

Having predicted the Decepticon trap, Optimus ordered Hot Rod and the entire crew to evacuate the Ark. Hot Rod questioned Optimus, as there had been no sign of the Decepticons, but Optimus exhorted him on the value of caution in leadership. The Decepticons indeed sprung a trap, and Hot Rod evacuated the ship before its destruction. When the crew of the Ark engaged the Decepticon forces outside the Well of the AllSpark, Hot Rod, Bumblebee and Cheetor stayed to the sidelines, with orders to protect the AllSpark. When Bumblebee nearly broke cover to help Ratchet, Hot Rod stopped him, and Grimlock protected the Autobot Medic. Battle For Cybertron II

When Chromia provided Windblade with knowledge of an alternate route to access the Well of the AllSpark, she reported it to Hot Rod, who led Bumblebee and Cheetor away from the battle. The three were followed by Drift underground, traversing a network of secret tunnels, eventually finding rivers of Energon, since dried up and turned toxic by the absence of the AllSpark. The three were attacked by Drift, who revealed his true allegiance as a Decepticon, his defection to the Autobots a ruse from the start. Hot Rod kept Drift busy while Bumblebee and Cheetor fled with the AllSpark. He battled the Decepticon until Drift struck a critical blow, and Hot Rod dragged him into the toxic Energon waste with him, seemingly the end of both combatants. Battle For Cybertron III

Having survived, Hot Rod emerged from the toxic waste with a new, darker color scheme. He returned to the surface of Cybertron to discover the entire planet had been subjugated by the Quintessons. He encountered Perceptor, who explained the nature of the Loop and found a way to hack into it, with the intent of freeing the remaining population. The Dead End

Hot Rod and Clobber used a cortical psychic patch to insert Hot Rod into the Loop, where he attempted to free Bumblebee. Despite near success, Hot Rod tried 57 times and was unable to free him. Exiting the Loop, Hot Rod confirmed his failure to Clobber. The two were attacked by a Quintesson Prosecutor, and fled. Becoming separated from Clobber, Hot Rod backtracked to discover her in the clutches of multiple Prosecutors, and he rescued her. They both fled, and managed to evade pursuit. They happened upon a Sharkticon, Biter], directing more Prosecutors to apprehend two uncaptured Cybertronians, and Hot Rod directed Clobber to drop a building on the Prosecutors, while he distracted the Sharkticon. Clobber toppled the wrong building, and Hot Rod once again fled pursuit. Cornered by Biter and the Prosecutors, Clobber this time dropped the right building, rescuing Hot Rod. The two returned to their home base, and were greeted by Perceptor, who correctly surmised their failure to free anyone else from the Loop. The Loop

When Clobber was unable to free Lockdown from the Loop, Hot Rod reported their failure to Perceptor. Perceptor reported the location of a second cortical psychic patch, and Hot Rod and Clobber headed to Shockwave’s lab to retrieve it. The pair retrieved the patch, and were followed by Dead End, who Clobber had inadvertently freed from the Loop. Dead End rammed Hot Rod, who explained the nature of the Loop to a suspicious Dead End, who aimed his gun at Hot Rod. He attacked Dead End, leading to an explosion that drew a swarm of Prosecutors, and they fled to their base, where Hot Rod explained to Dead End how he survived the battle that seemingly deactivated him. The Prosecutors located their base, trapping them. Clobber made an escape, and together they fled to Maccadam’s, and the Prosecutors broke off pursuit. Maccadam welcomed the ragtag group, explaining that the Quintessons were not welcome. The Dead End

Dead End questioned Hot Rod on their next steps, and the two nearly came to blows before being stopped by Maccadam. He told Perceptor he didn’t know what to do, and Perceptor told him they needed a leader. Hot Rod took this as a suggestion to free Optimus Prime from the Loop. Leaving Maccadam’s, Hot Rod entered the Loop repeatedly to attempt to free Optimus, getting to Optimus quicker and quicker on each attempt, but still running out of time before he could convince Optimus to transform. He did manage to inadvertently free Whirl by knocking him out of the way of a falling cube of metal, making him transform and wake up. Eventually Hot Rod was pulled out of the Loop when he was attacked by Prosecutors, and Clobber rescued him. The Sleeper

Perceptor informed Hot Rod, Dead End, Whirl and Clobber that Maccadam’s was in reality part of the Titan Iaconus. Hot Rod suggested replicating Iaconus’s cloaking technology for use outside of Maccadam’s. The group explored the Titan, and Hot Rod cautioned Clobber against activating its defenses. Everyone except Perceptor crammed themselves into an elevator, and Dead End accidentally activated it, leading them to a training simulation. Hot Rod and the others progressed through 503 levels of the simulation, only to be overwhelmed at the 504th, and Perceptor shut down the simulation remotely. Joined by Perceptor, Hot Rod and the others further explored the Titan, discovering stasis barracks guarded by Skullcruncher. After fending him off, they reach Iaconus’s cloaking module, and Hot Rod moved to remove it. Maccadam greeted them and dissuaded Hot Rod from removing the module. After hearing Maccadam’s tale, and dire warning against re-awakening Iaconus, Hot Rod decided that they needed to re-awaken the Titan to combat the Quintesson invasion. The Citizen

Hot Rod and the rest of the resistance fled Iaconus’s security systems, eventually reaching a room containing the Titan’s face. Attempts to wake the Titan were fruitless, and Hot Rod concluded a Cityspeaker was required. While the others found Windblade, Hot Rod and Clobber entered the Loop, and Perceptor interrupted the Loop’s signal to allow Hot Rod to show her what was really happening outside the Loop. When Perceptor, Whirl and Dead End were attacked by Prosecutors, Hot Rod and Clobber exited the Loop and rescued the others. During the battle, Hot Rod was captured by the Prosecutors, and taken away to an audience with the Judge. He met some Sharkticons, but his attempts at camaraderie were met with less than a warm welcome. The Sharkticons brought him before the Judge, who Hot Rod immediately insulted. The Judge explained its purpose and mission, judging universes and purging them. Unimpressed, Hot Rod kept the Judge busy with jokes and lies, and escaped in vehicle mode. Emerging from the Quintesson ship, he jumped, to be caught by Whirl, and returned to Maccadam’s. The Trial

In Maccadam’s, Hot Rod sat with Perceptor and Whirl on one side of the bar, opposite Clobber, Dead End and Soundwave. At Maccadam’s urging, Hot Rod and Soundwave discussed their plans over a mug of Energon. The two clashed, Soundwave attempting to take charge. Hot Rod and Soundwave came to blows, but Soundwave began glitching. Hot Rod remarked that Hound exhibited similar behavior after being improperly removed from the Loop. When Soundwave captured a Quintesson Prosecutor, Hot Rod explained that interrogating it would be impossible, and that a Bailiff was who they needed. The group split up to capture Biter, Soundwave ordering Clobber to accompany Hot Rod. Clobber apologized to Hot Rod before attacking him on Soundwave’s orders. When Soundwave began glitching again, she broke off her attack to assist him and the others. Hot Rod distracted Biter and Clobber ran him over, rendering him unconscious. He led the Prosecutors away while Dead End and Clobber returned the Bailiff and Soundwave to Maccadam’s. He returned to Maccadam’s and confronted Soundwave, who was torturing Biter for information. He defeated Soundwave, who began to glitch once more. He questioned the Bailiff, who insisted that he knew nothing, and that the only one who knew anything was the Quintesson Scientist. The Prisoner

Hot Rod and the resistance infiltrated the Scientist’s lab. Hot Rod followed Soundwave inside when he unlocked the door, and it closed behind them. They met the Scientist and attempted to order him to free everyone from the Loop. When the Scientist showed off his collection of Soundwaves, Hot Rod questioned why he would collect Soundwaves and not Hot Rods. Soundwave and Hot Rod killed the Scientist, but another took his place moments later. They defeated Scientist after Scientist, but were restrained as the Scientist fed his creation, Hot Rod questioned the Scientist on what he was growing, and the Scientist explained that each universe required a new Judge born from the life forms contained in it, and that the sparks of the captured Cybertronians, and the AllSpark itself were being drained to power the creation of the new Judge, to Hot Rod’s dismay. When Perceptor freed everyone from the Loop, Hot Rod and Soundwave made their exit. The Scientist

Hot Rod and Soundwave explained to Optimus Prime and Megatron that the Quintessons were draining the AllSpark to power the new Judge. When the freed Autobots and Decepticons gathered, Hot Rod and Optimus attempted to establish an alliance, to little success. When Soundwave quieted the crowd, he and Hot Rod explained the situation. When talking was met with little success, Hot Rod and Soundwave forced the two factions to cooperate in the training simulation. When Windblade asked when her turn to train was, Soundwave and Hot Rod instead led her to Iaconus’s Cityspeaker chamber, explaining the need for the Titan’s might against the Quintesson invasion. When Windblade was overwhelmed by Iaconus’s power, Hot Rod dissuaded her from trying again. In the battle at the Quintesson tower, Hot Rod and Soundwave cleared the way for Optimus carrying a massive warhead to the tower. They were confronted by Lord Gnaw and his legions of Sharkticon forces. He and Bumblebee became surrounded as the alliance retreated, but their attackers were scattered by Windblade raising Iaconus’s arm from beneath the city. The Alliance

Wheeljack explained to Hot Rod and others that the multiverse drive inside the Quintesson ship could be used to send the Quintessons into another universe. Hot Rod and Soundwave observed that the Quintesson forces were too numerous to make it to the ship. When Maccadam suggested disabling Iaconus’s cloaking systems to distract the Quintessons, Hot Rod reacted with sarcasm. Together, Hot Rod and Soundwave coordinated Iaconus’s defenders when the Quintessons attacked. Eventually, Hot Rod and Soundwave joined the battle, and they, along with other members of the alliance, managed to destroy the Judge, and the Quintesson ship. Moments later, Hot Rod watched in horror as the new Judge, Starscream, arose. The Judge

Hot Rod was immediately captured by Starscream, along with the rest of the alliance. Soundwave used his speakers to disrupt Starscream’s forces, and Hot Rod encouraged the captives to escape. The breakout was short lived, and everyone was recaptured, with the exception of Windblade. For their role in instigating the breakout, Soundwave and Hot Rod were placed into a simulation similar to the Loop, surrounded on all sides by Cosmic Rust. The End Of The Universe I

Still inside the simulation, Soundwave and Hot Rod were repeatedly overrun by the Cosmic Rust, until they were freed by Maccadam. Escaping with the others, Hot Rod watched in sorrow as Maccadam was destroyed by Croaton deflecting Iaconus’s beam attack. The End Of The Universe III

Hot Rod and Soundwave were confronted by the Scientist’s collection of Soundwaves. The End Of The Universe IV

Following the end of the Quintesson invasion and Starscream’s destruction, Hot Rod restored his original red coloration. He came to Optimus with the concerning news that Bumblebee had not checked in on his search for Windblade. He accompanied Optimus to the wall and confronted the Decepticons. He was present when Ratchet delivered his diagnosis of Windblade’s condition. Enemy Line

Hot Rod was in Maccadam’s with Arcee and Grimlock when a new episode of Alien Hunt! Aired. Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire And Cosmos

When Bumblebee contacted Hot Rod to tell him that the Energon rivers had begun to flow again, Hot Rod sourly reminisced about the bad memories that place held. Journey To The Valley Of Repugnus

Hot Rod discussed Megatron’s plans with Optimus, perplexed by the period of peace. When Jetfire reported in, he was struck by a strange beam that made his wings disappear. Rack 'n' Ruin 'n' Ratchet

Hot Rod was part of the strategy meeting where Optimus froze, experiencing a vision within the Matrix. Dweller In The Depths

When Optimus infiltrated Croaton city to destroy Megatron’s Matrix of Leadership, Hot Rod reported that Teletraan-X calculated a 5% chance of success. When Megatron raised the dimensional shielding, Hot Rod and the other Autobots were cut off from Prime’s team. Silent Strike

Following Windblade’s recovery, Hot Rod was among the Autobots who cheerfully welcomed her back. The Other One

Hot Rod stood with Optimus, Windblade and Bumblebee as part of the Autobot delegation at the signing of the Treaty of the Wall. He was frozen in time with the rest of Cybertron by Trypticon's Mercenaries, and later restored by Wheeljack. The Immobilizers

Hot Rod participated in the ceremony at the grand opening of Trypticon Plaza. Following Astrotrain’s arrival and declaration of an impending threat, Hot Rod aided in organizing the planet’s defenses, until he was interrupted by the Dinobots offering to demonstrate their combining abilities. He humored them, and tested their abilities with a flame blast, which Volcanicus directed right back at him. When the opposing forces of Decepticon supersoldiers arrived on Cybertron, Hot Rod watched their battle with Clobber and Perceptor. He reported to Optimus that the Decepticon forces were only attacking each other, and not the other Cybertronians. Wheeljack supplied the Autobots, including Hot Rod, with gadgets to restrain the supersoldiers and end their conflict. The gadgets were effective, but the supersoldiers merely teleported away and continued their conflict. When Tarn reprogrammed the supersoldiers, he was attacked along with Windblade and the Dinobots. Hot Rod and Grimlock held off the supersoldiers long enough to escape, and Hot Rod provided rendezvous coordinates to the Autobot forces. Later, in the Valley of Repugnus, Hot Rod spoke to the assembled Autobot forces and formed a plan. After Bumblebee rescued Optimus, Hot Rod teleported to the Cube arena and taunted Tarn, and the rest of the Autobots teleported in behind him. Hot Rod took charge, and the Autobots began their attack. Hot Rod teleported behind Tarn and tried to grab the Cortex Helm, but Tarn threw him at Optimus. When Tarn was about to execute Optimus, Hot Rod interrupted him, running over several supersoldiers. He tried to take the Cortex Helm from Tarn again, but Tarn pummeled him repeatedly, critically damaging him. After Soundwave reprogrammed the supersoldiers and destroyed Tarn, Hot Rod congratulated him, only to realize that Soundwave had been destroyed as well. Hot Rod later delivered a eulogy for Soundwave, remembering the bad things he’d done, as well as his change into someone more than just an evil Decepticon. Following the service, Hot Rod and Windblade joined Optimus and Bumblebee, and Hot Rod asked what was next for Cybertron. Optimus announced he intended to retire, and the Autobots and Shadow Striker shared a group hug, which the Dinobots also joined, quite uninvited. The Perfect Decepticon

Alternate universes

I want to tell you about the Transformers! This character article is a stub and is missing information on their fictional appearances. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. The Crossroads The Other One

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.^[1]

Toys

Cyberverse

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 Decepticon insignia on the side.

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

• Autobot Hot Rod (1-Step Changer, 2019)

• TakaraTomy name: Turbo Change Hot Rod
• TakaraTomy release date: December ???, 2019
• TakaraTomy ID number: TCV-24
• Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Released as part of the fourth wave of Cyberverse 1-Step Changers, Hot Rod 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.

• 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 and Wheeljack.

Your father once vacationed in... New Jersey.

• Autobot Hot Rod (Deluxe Class, 2020)

• Accessories: 2 effect parts, Maccadam's right leg
• Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Part of the second wave of Cyberverse Deluxe Class figures, this version of Hot Rod is a brand-new mold with more show-accurate sculpting, improved articulation and a more complex transformation. He comes with two flame effects that fit onto the ends of his side exhaust pipes.

He was later redecoed into EarthSpark Prowl. For some reason.

Snouts rule, am I right?!

• Stealth Force Hot Rod (Warrior Class, 2020)

• Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

Warrior Hot Rod also received a black redeco, swapping the red parts for a metallic black plastic, matching his appearance in the later episodes of the Cyberverse cartoon. 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.

The Second Coming of Animated.

• Hot Rod (Ultra Class, 2020)

• Accessories: Crossbow

Released as part of the sixth wave of Ultra Class toys, 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 beginning with this wave, Hot Rod features an "energon armor" gimmick that flips a spring-loaded, clear-plastic battle helmet and chest armor over his upper body.

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.

• Sharkticons Attack (Multi-pack, 2020)

• Action Attack: "Fusion Flame"

A primarily-black redeco of the One-Step figure above, as he appeared in the later Cyberverse cartoon episodes.

This version of the toy was only available packaged with three Tiny Turbo Changers Sharkticon figures, in a Target exclusive Battle for Cybertron / Cybertronian Villains multi-pack.

• Stealth Force Hot Rod (Tiny Turbo Changer, 2020)

• Series: 3
• Bag code: H2

Released in the third Tiny Turbo Changers Series, this version of Hot Rod is cast in stealthy black plastic. Noticing a theme here.

Series 3, as far as can be told, was never released in the US, appearing only in Canada, Germany, Norway and Taiwan. While a few figures from this Series did see re-release in the short-lived Series 5, Stealth Force Hot Rod was not one of them.

King of the Plunger.

• Autobot Hot Rod (Ultimate Class, 2021)

• Accessories: Battle axe

Part of the sixth and final wave of Ultimate Class toys, released under the Dinobots Unite branding, this large version of Hot Rod is a roughly Leader-sized figure which transforms from robot mode to a Cybertronian supercar. 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. The figure also features a spring-loaded Energon Armor gimmick that flips down over Hot Rod's torso.

His articulation in robot mode is severely limited, mostly confined to his arms.

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.^[2]
• 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.^[2]

Foreign names

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

References