Video Review of Transformers Studio Series 86 Hot Rod

Wow, this looks pretty incredible.

This figure looks awesome and I can't wait to get it. Now all we need is a little Energon, and a lot of luck is for Hasbro to ACTUALLY ANNOUNCE THE TOYLINE

Shame it's not smoother and less lined. At deluxe I'd probably bite, not at voyager though. Might wait and see if they do a pink version down the line or add a target master.

ZeroWolf wrote:

This looks incredible! It's definitely a "Mini Masterpiece" a la some of the stuff we've been getting from the War for Cybertron Trilogy so far. It does fit in with that aesthetic too, as there is plenty of greebling on Studio Series Hot Rod to make him more detailed than the animation models. I also called it on the entire shoulder assembly needing to rotate 180 degrees to get the arms transformed right. I love how neatly the back wheels fold up into the calves and the use of panels to hide the hollows in the forearms where the hands fold away. Also, those are some nicely articulated hands, just like Earthrise Optimus Prime. The Voyager price point for this figure definitely comes through in terms of complexity of transformation and parts count as compared to a standard Deluxe-sized figure. The backpack folds up beautifully too. It's better than what they achieved with the actual Masterpiece figure. Bravo, Hasbro and Takara! This is impressive!

I'm kind of wondering about those secret leg holes...

It doesn't need to weaponise with it not being part of wfc or use them in transformation. With that in mind, is it just split from the upcoming Rodimus figure (tho lack of Rodimus face would say not) or is it just so some employee can make some third party add ons for it :p

That is impressive.
This Hot Rod follow the "mini MP" trend of the WFC trilogy. I like it and look foward the other figures of the line.

Yep. I want it. That's all there is to it. I don't have a hot rod, that's a really dang good hot rod.

Hopefully the Dinobots turn out just as good.

Well, it's been a LONG time since I've had to eat my words on ANYTHING, but it seems I was dead wrong about this one. I initially dismissed both this figure and Kup, but after that video, I'm sold whether it's a deluxe or a voyager. It looks so good, in both modes, but especially in robot mode which to me is more important. So yeah, this is bought on sight. Now I'm more hopeful about the rest of the line. Bring them on!

thats the most incredible non MP hotrod so far
now for kup and blur how well they will look

I need this

Alright, so that confirms two guns for him. Still not really interested, but he does look great for those looking for him.

In other news:

Although I have and like the Henkei Hot Rod, I will get this version for sure... And probably Kup too.
The accessories are just icing; the figure itself is really impressive.
I'm assuming it's a voyager class.
Now I really can't wait to see the Dinobots!!!!

How could they have failed so badly with Arcee, but win so much with Hot Rod and Scourge!? They look incredible!

I guess the only quibble I have with HR is that the yellow on the hood mars the look. Why did they mold that in yellow? So wierd.

When TR Scourge came in I didn't see the point because Universe Scourge did the job well. But this guy blows both of them right out of the water. I just wish there weren't so many army builders coming out at the same time.

The new guy will be my main scourge, the others, his minions. Hope they keep up this trend.

Scourge is looking great! Hoping that he is tall at around the same height as CW Cylconus.

Takara took two attempts to make a "perfect" hotrod for the masterpiece line, and failed. Generations said "hold my beer"

(keep in mind I do still love my mp roddys, warts and all)

He looks alright but the fact we're in a timeline where a basic car chest transformation is apparently too complex to pull off without resorting to faux-parts irks me something chronic.

As long as the figures in this line don't have QC issues like loose joints, this just goes to show what these companies are capable of...
Also, as great as this Hot Rod looks, I hope it's not $50.

Looks like I'll also be getting that Scourge!

I saw the opening hands and said no way. Saw what they were for and went he better not be too expensive because I want!

Sowndwave76 wrote:As long as the figures in this line don't have QC issues like loose joints, this just goes to show what these companies are capable of...
Also, as great as this Hot Rod looks, I hope it's not $50.

Looks like I'll also be getting that Scourge!

This should be just your standard SS deluxe.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:As long as the figures in this line don't have QC issues like loose joints, this just goes to show what these companies are capable of...
Also, as great as this Hot Rod looks, I hope it's not $50.

Looks like I'll also be getting that Scourge!

This should be just your standard SS deluxe.

Voyager, actually, if the leaks are true (which they have been so far). That's how he can afford to have so many accessories.

Cheetron wrote:I saw the opening hands and said no way. Saw what they were for and went he better not be too expensive because I want!

his priced at voyager

Black Hat wrote:He looks alright but the fact we're in a timeline where a basic car chest transformation is apparently too complex to pull off without resorting to faux-parts irks me something chronic.

Hot Rod in particular kinda has to have a fake chest in order to be animation accurate in either mode, in robot mode it's smaller and differently shaped than in vehicle mode. When he transforms from robot to vehicle, his chest/hood literally grows and changes shape. They can't do that on a physical figure.

Voyager + Accessories = Leader
Legends + Accessories = Deluxe
Deluxe + Accessories = Voyager

AcademyofDrX wrote:Voyager + Accessories = Leader
Legends + Accessories = Deluxe
Deluxe + Accessories = Voyager

I miss 2000-2015.

AcademyofDrX wrote:Voyager + Accessories = Leader
Legends + Accessories = Deluxe
Deluxe + Accessories = Voyager

Not just + accessories, but + more advanced engineering as well.

This was posted on the Cybertron Philippines Facebook group page, Claiming to be a first look at Studio Series 86' Scourge.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/860691268 ... oup_header

Looks Cool, but not in my range of collecting. I am glad for those who are excited. I will make one observation however... I'm not sure where the idea started that SS 86 toys were intended for kingdom, but just wouldn't fit in that line up, but I think we can put that to rest. Like or hate them, it seems these toys were always intended for SS.

I've been given a lot of flak lately because I like to categorize my toys according to how they are released, but it is important. Of course liking toys from every line is ok, and display them how you want, it's your collection. But I can guarantee, a Kingdom Hotrod would have been very different than this one. Not saying better or worse, just obviously engineered differently.

Jeddostotle7 wrote:

Black Hat wrote:He looks alright but the fact we're in a timeline where a basic car chest transformation is apparently too complex to pull off without resorting to faux-parts irks me something chronic.

Hot Rod in particular kinda has to have a fake chest in order to be animation accurate in either mode, in robot mode it's smaller and differently shaped than in vehicle mode. When he transforms from robot to vehicle, his chest/hood literally grows and changes shape. They can't do that on a physical figure.

Yeah, I really don't get why this bothers people so much... If having an alternate part helps make the proportions of the robot better, then what's the issue?
Why does it matter?? If someone wants to claim they'd rather have all alt mode parts used in the bot mode... WHY??? I'm really asking... Is it because that makes a figure have a "pure transformation"?
Again, I'd ask why does this matter...

Imo, I think it's an awesome part of the engineering design that a figure's parts appear to shape/size shift from one mode to the other.

"Fake robot parts" is a really old concept and a necessity. Even the 400$+ MP figures do it because black magic or science-fiction level nanotech dosen't exist.

I'm just waiting for the Last Knight Hot Rod.

TulioDude wrote:I'm just waiting for the Last Knight Hot Rod.

Same here! I’m focusing on the first 3 movies for the most part, but Hot Rod’s design fits in really nicely with the pre-AOE Autobots. A not-too-humanoid face and quite a bit of recognizable alt. mode kibble, it’s a really good design!

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Jeddostotle7 wrote:

Black Hat wrote:He looks alright but the fact we're in a timeline where a basic car chest transformation is apparently too complex to pull off without resorting to faux-parts irks me something chronic.

Hot Rod in particular kinda has to have a fake chest in order to be animation accurate in either mode, in robot mode it's smaller and differently shaped than in vehicle mode. When he transforms from robot to vehicle, his chest/hood literally grows and changes shape. They can't do that on a physical figure.

Yeah, I really don't get why this bothers people so much... If having an alternate part helps make the proportions of the robot better, then what's the issue?
Why does it matter?? If someone wants to claim they'd rather have all alt mode parts used in the bot mode... WHY??? I'm really asking... Is it because that makes a figure have a "pure transformation"?
Again, I'd ask why does this matter...

Imo, I think it's an awesome part of the engineering design that a figure's parts appear to shape/size shift from one mode to the other.

It matters because there's no point in having something that looks like part of the alt mode that isn't. Just make it some neat looking robot chest or something, then. And MP-09 managed to cook in a way to make the chest shrink that served well enough, IMO, so it's not like this can't be done.

That being said, I think all of the positives of this toy greatly outweigh the fact that he has a fake chest. Is it mildly frustrating? Yea. Will it stop me from purchasing this toy? No way in hell.

-Percepter

ZeroWolf wrote:Greetings Seibertronians! Fellow Seibertron user, Praxiusprime77 has let us know that YouTube toy reviewer, TonTon Reviews, has been at it again. This time, has produced a video review for the upcoming Transformers Studio Series 86 Voyager Class Hotrod!

This Hotrod is the first of the 86 movie releases for the line, and comes with several accessories to mimic what he used in the 1986 animated movie, such as his flip down goggles and the saw blade he wields at one point.

We have embedded the review below for your convenience:


What do you think of this version of the classic character? Will you be adding him to a Hotrod shrine? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

Wow! Just...wow.

Percepter wrote:It matters because there's no point in having something that looks like part of the alt mode that isn't. Just make it some neat looking robot chest or something, then. And MP-09 managed to cook in a way to make the chest shrink that served well enough, IMO, so it's not like this can't be done.

There is a point... Which most people understand-- making the hood of a vehicle fold in any way to make it smaller to fit the proportions of the robot mode involves more parts/pieces, seams in the figure, and just more to mess with both for the designer, and the consumer in terms of the transformation.
If the vehicle hood could be made as the figure's "neat looking robot chest" without any changes in design... They'd do that.
You're example of a MP figure doesn't quite apply because not only are those figures larger which literally gives more plastic to work with, they're given a larger budget as well.

Sowndwave76 wrote:You're example of a MP figure doesn't quite apply because not only are those figures larger which literally gives more plastic to work with, they're given a larger budget as well.

There's also the fact that many MP figures DO use faux parts. Best example, Optimus Prime with his fake belly grill... ALL 3 versions.

Hot Rod looks pretty good. His robot mode looks quite nice. His headsculpt is amazing, and the filp-out shades are incredible. The alt mode is decent, though not as good as TR Rod's. The leg transformation looks really cool, like an improved version of the TR figure. The rest of the transformation looks interesting, if a bit fiddly, and the use of a fake chest is unfortunate. I really like my TR Hot Rod, though, so I feel no need to get this version. But overall, it's pretty good.

...But the way his hips are designed is really stupid. They almost completely restrict backward movement for no reason. Couldn't they have been designed like... pretty much every Earthrise figure?

o.supreme wrote:Looks Cool, but not in my range of collecting. I am glad for those who are excited. I will make one observation however... I'm not sure where the idea started that SS 86 toys were intended for kingdom, but just wouldn't fit in that line up, but I think we can put that to rest. Like or hate them, it seems these toys were always intended for SS.

I've been given a lot of flak lately because I like to categorize my toys according to how they are released, but it is important. Of course liking toys from every line is ok, and display them how you want, it's your collection. But I can guarantee, a Kingdom Hotrod would have been very different than this one. Not saying better or worse, just obviously engineered differently.

How would a Kingdom Hot Rod have been any different? This figure strongly reminds me of ER Optimus Prime, a figure who got more complex engineering due to being placed in a larger size class with extra stuff. As far as I can tell, this is exactly what a voyager Hot Rod would have looked like in Kingdom, except for maybe some extra 5mm ports or something.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:You're example of a MP figure doesn't quite apply because not only are those figures larger which literally gives more plastic to work with, they're given a larger budget as well.

There's also the fact that many MP figures DO use faux parts. Best example, Optimus Prime with his fake belly grill... ALL 3 versions.

Exactly... & again, even though we could all suffice without faux parts, tons & tons of us would then be crying out for more accurate robot proportions...
After all, most of us agree that’s the most important aspect to get right... Especially now that technology really allows that to be possible.

Yeah, faux parts..... Of almost any complaint about these toys, that’s one I really really don’t understand.

Hotrod would have been a deluxe not a Voyager class in Kingdom (should have been also in SS but that's beside the point), whatever different level of engineering you want to make of that. I actually look at ER Prime and SS 86 Hotrod and see no similarities, they look like they belong in completely different lines because they are.

o.supreme wrote:Hotrod would have been a deluxe not a Voyager class in Kingdom (should have been also in SS but that's beside the point), whatever different level of engineering you want to make of that. I actually look at ER Prime and SS 86 Hotrod and see no similarities, they look like they belong in completely different lines because they are.

Although I can’t speak to Leader Prime, I tend to agree with o.supreme...
If for no other reason, this SS Hotrod isn’t a “gimmick” figure— no stupid 5mm ports in every limb, or extras or weird paint apps based on a theme that’s outside of the character itself.

o.supreme wrote:I actually look at ER Prime and SS 86 Hotrod and see no similarities, they look like they belong in completely different lines because they are.

Heh, one could say the exact same thing about these two toys.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Exactly... & again, even though we could all suffice without faux parts, tons & tons of us would then be crying out for more accurate robot proportions...
After all, most of us agree that’s the most important aspect to get right... Especially now that technology really allows that to be possible.

Yeah, faux parts..... Of almost any complaint about these toys, that’s one I really really don’t understand.

"Everyone knows the only thing that matters is screen accuracy, and the best way to get screen accuracy is fake parts, how could anyone think otherwise."

I don't think your problem is "understanding," it seems like you can't even conceptualize that someone might care about other things. Personally, I don't consider robot mode appearance the most important factor. By that standard, RED would be the best. There are a lot of compromises in this figure to get that appearance. For example, instead of having a rear bumper, his knees are just hanging out the back. I would rather have stubbier legs or miscolored parts or something to have it look like an actual car.

Ordinarily, anyway, but this is Studio Series. It's a trade-off. I still have the TR and PotP figures, so I think this one will be a good complement.

For all the criticism of G1 taking over so many product lines, I think it's impressive that they're releasing so many different styles of figures. SS, WFC, and Prime Wars are all clearly Generations but have different priorities and service different types of collections.

Okay so I was late to the meeting, but why is this Hot Rod under the Studio series/brand?

to celebrate the 1986 movie

Nemesis Destron wrote:Okay so I was late to the meeting, but why is this Hot Rod under the Studio series/brand?

Studio Series is gonna start having toys of characters from the 1986 movie. We think it's so that Kingdom can make room for its Beast Wars toys in addition to the updated G1 toys that it's also going to have.

Really thought I would see more complaints about how terrible the back of Hot Rod's car mode looks. Everyone seems to be really upset about Ironhide's feet sticking out the back of the van mode, but I guess big gray knees hanging out the back of a car is OK. I think they missed the mark there, surely there's something they could have done to either pull the legs in further or collapse them more. Very unfortunate because the rest of the figure is pretty much immaculate. Definitely going to be posing him on the shelf with the Matrix in hand, that effect part is perfect!

Emerje

grimdragon2001 wrote:to celebrate the 1986 movie

So we can expect other '86 characters not yet released like Kup, Cyclonus, Galvatron...? As oppose to some that have recently been released...UM, Arcee, Springer.

I can't say this looks like it belongs to a different line than ER Prime. They're both very screen accurate depictions of their characters and seem to be in the same scale. Aside from not having a bunch of nubs for blast effects anyway.

I'm not a fan of fauz parts if they seem egregious. But the car mode hood is well hidden in robot mode. And the end result is just fantastic.

Nemesis Destron wrote:

grimdragon2001 wrote:to celebrate the 1986 movie

So we can expect other '86 characters not yet released like Kup, Cyclonus, Galvatron...? As oppose to some that have recently been released...UM, Arcee, Springer.

Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Slag w/ Daniel, Grimlock w/ Wheelie, Jazz, Astrotrain, Gnaw and Scourge are rumored for Studio Series.

Cyclonus, Galvatron, Ultra Magnus (Earth Mode retool of Siege), and Rodimus Prime are rumored for Kingdom.

Don't forget Wheelie with Grimlock.