In initial concepts such as this, Hot Rod is heavily based on Lockdown- being that they shared Lamborghini altmodes (though not of the same model, obviously), it was a good starting point. The image below shows us that Hot Rod originally had the name "Sidekick", or at least was referred to as a "sidekick". Either way, his body is quite similar to Lockdown's, with the various bits of Hot Rod's Lamborghini Centenario altmode incorporated into the concept. We can also see that his concept feet are also similar to Lockdown's, and given that Lockdown's toy was heavily retooled into Hot Rod's, it was easy enough to keep those without straying too far from the original.
Of special interest is the concept's head, shown below, which is a modified version of Lockdown's night vision helmet.
Now, from James Paick, we have an image of a Cybertronian ship of some sort-whether a piloted ship or perhaps a concept for a Transformer altmode isn't clear- but it is pretty sweet looking.
And finally, also from Mr. Paick, we have concept art of everyone's favorite warlord burning a human town to the ground- vestiges of which likely survived into the final movie as the "abandoned" town that Cade and the Autobots set their trap in and battled Megatron's crew.
What do you think of these latest images? Sound off in the Energon Pub and let us know!
