Auto Countdown: Best Cars Featured in Transformers

The Transformers franchise has featured some of the best cars ever to hit the road as disguises for the robots. This is a list of the top 15 cars used in the Transformers franchise.
(Disclaimers: One car per brand. Earth cars only. No service or military vehicles.)



15. Toyota Hilux (Transformers G1: Autobot Hoist and Autobot Trailbreaker)

This truck is indestructible. Top Gear dropped it off an exploding building, yet the Hilux still was drivable. Top Gear drove a Hilux to the Magnetic North Pole. James May drove one up a volcano. However, I favor sports cars over trucks, so the Hilux starts the list at #15.


14. Lotus Esprit (Transformers G1: Decepticon Runabout)

The Lotus Esprit was a highly stylish sports car. It was fast and quick for sports car standards of the 1970s and 1980s. Lotus is known for having the best handling cars, and the Esprit was praised for its handling. However, the cars ahead of the Esprit outperform the Esprit.


13. Pontiac Trans-Am Firebird (Transformers G1: Decepticon Runamuck)

The Pontiac Trans-Am Firebird is Pontiac's entry into the Pony Car Wars. The Firebird came with a range of eight cylinder engines and options. The Trans-Am was popular in pop-culture. It was the car used in the Smokey and the Bandit franchise in addition to the Transformers G1 cartoon. The Firebird had a successful racing career, winning multiple pro stock and funny car championships. Unfortunately, GM ended the Pontiac brand in 2010.

12. Lancia Stratos (Transformers G1: Autobot Wheeljack)

The Lancia Stratos is one of the most successful rally cars. It has won the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976. It was powered by a 2.4L Dino V6 engine that produced 192 hp and had a 0-60 mph time under 5 seconds with a top speed of 144 mph. The Stratos is coming back in limited quiatity, with only 25 new Stratos planned to be produced. It is not the quickest or the fastest car used in the Transformers franchise and finds its way at the 12 spot on the list.

11. Saleen S281 Mustang (Transformers Live Films: Decepticon Barricade)

Nothing says Americana like the Ford Mustang. Saleen has tuned this pony to 485 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The s281 is the most powerful of the Saleen tuned cars. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 154 mph. It is low on this list because there are faster, quicker, and better cars used in the Transformers franchise than the Saleen S281.


10. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Decepticon Soundwave)

The SLS AMG is not one of my favorite cars to wear the Mercedes-Benz badge. The SLR McLaren is a much better car and the SLS AMG will never catch the spirit of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. But the SLS is a good car and one of the better cars used in the Transformers Film. To see my thoughts on the SLS AMG, click here.


9. Dodge Viper (Transformers Robots in Disguise: Autobot Sideburn)

The Dodge Viper is the fastest car made by the Chrysler. The Viper is a pure driver's car since there are no electronic driving aides on the Viper. It is one of only a few American cars to use a V10 engine. To see my thoughts on the Viper, click here. Since the Viper is faster than the SLS AMG, it sits at the 9 spot.

8. Chrysler ME Four-Twelve (Transformers Cybertron: Autobot Hot Shot)

I am not a fan of Chrysler, but the ME Four-Twelve was an incredible concept car revealed by Chrysler in 2004. It was going to be powered by a quad-turbocharged 6.0L V12 engine that produced 850 hp. Its projected performance was 0-60 time in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 248 mph. It is a shame that this car was not put into production, even on a limited production run. This would have been the first car made by a big American car company that was faster than the legendary McLaren F1. Because it was not put into production, it sits at the 8 spot.


7. Aston Martin DBS (Transformers Prime: Decepticon Knockout)

Not many car companies can match the styling of an Aston Martin. I love the styling of the DBS. It is one of the most stylish cars used in the Transformers franchise. The Cars at 1 through 6 have great styling and outperform the DBS. To see my full thoughts on the Aston Martin, click here.


6. Audi R8 (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticon Sideways)

I love this car. It is a high-performing, incredibly stylish supercar. Whether the R8 in the film was real or computer generated, Michael Bay should never have destroyed this beauty. To see my full thoughts on the Audi R8, click here.


5. Ferrari 458 Italia (Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Autobot Dino)

I love Ferraris. The 458 Italia is just another car in a long tradition of fast, stunning, highly stylish Ferraris. This car could outrun an Audi R8. The 458 Italia does not have the impact on the Automotive industry like the top four cars on this list, so it sits at the 4 spot. To see my full thoughts on the Ferrari 458 Italia, click here.


4. Chevrolet Corvette (Transformers G1: Autobot Freeway, Transformers G1: Autobot Tracks, and Transformers Live Films: Autobot Sideswipe)

The Corvette is one of the most iconic cars to come from America. It has been around since the 1950s. The Corvette is one of the longest running production cars. The C6 Corvette ZR1 can compete with modern Lamborghinis and Ferraris. The Corvette is atop the GM food chain (Sorry Chevrolet Camaro). Corvette engines have been used in Moslers, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, and the Hennessey Venom GT. The cars ahead of the Corvette on this list pushed the limits for what a car can be and what a car can do.


3. Lamborghini Countach (Transformers G1: Decepticon Breakdown, Autobot Sunstreaker, and Autobot Red Alert)

The Lamborghini Countach was the fastest car when it came out. It is a work of art. The Countach is the ancestor to the Diablo and Murcielago. The Countach is known for its reverse method. There is no way to see out of the rear window. The driver would roll down the window, sit on the door, look out the back, and put the car in reverse. To see my thoughts on the Countach, click here.


2. Porsche 959 (Transformers Robot in Disguise: Autobot Hot Shot)

The Porsche 959 is one of the most important supercars ever made. It was the fastest car on the road when it first hit the road, with a top speed exceeding 195 mph. It was dethrowned by the Ferrari F40. The 959 is filled with the latest automotive technology of the 1980s. It was the first car to have tire pressure sensors. It had adjustable suspension, all-wheel drive and Porsche's first ever six-speed transmission. The Porsche 959 was very expensive when it came out. It sits at the 2 spot because the car at the top of the list is the new standard for what a car can do.


1. Bugatti Veyron (Transformers Cybertron: Autobot Crosswise)

This is the obvious choice as the best car used in Transformers. There is nothing like it on the road. The Veyron is full of technology with adjustable ride height and a wing that adjusts to breaking and high speeds. This is the standards by which all modern cars are measured by. Its 253 mph top speed was the highest for production cars from 2005 to 2007 when the American SSC Ultimate Aero TT hit 257 mph. The Veyron is fast, quick, luxurious, stylish. It is the ultimate road car. To see my thoughts on the Veryon, click here.

Auto Countdown: Worst Cars Featured in Transformers

The Transformers franchise has featured many cool vehicles as disguises for the robots. But there have been a few cars that should never have been used as disguises. These are the 10 worst cars featured in Transformers.
(Disclaimers: One car per brand. Earth cars only. No service or military vehicles.)


10. Porsche 924 (Transformers G1: Autobot Cliffjumper)

Porsche and Volkswagen collaborated on making a entry-level, front-engine sports car for Volkswagen, called the 425, using a VW I4 engine. However, Volkswagen pulled out of the project. Porsche released the car and called it the Porsche 924. Porsche kept the VWI4 engine instead of using a Porsche engine. The I4 used in the 924 produced 125 hp and the 924 was one of the slowest Porsches ever made. Car and Driver criticized the brake system of the 924, stating that the 924 brakes where a step back from the the Porsche 914 brakes. The styling of the 924 keeps it from being  lower on the list.


9. Hummer H2 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ratcher)

I have a few issues with the Hummer H2. One, it is an expensive Chevrolet Suburban. Two, a majority of Hummer H2 owners bought this car because they were compensating for something. The Hummer H1 was based on a military car and was a cool car. The H2 is just a monster on the road.


8. GMC C4500 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ironhide)

I am not a big fan of pickup trucks. The GMC Topkik C4500 has 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque, but its 0-60 mph time is 14.4 seconds and its top speed is 75 mph. A Toyota Prius could beat this car in a drag race. Prices for these trucks start at $70,000. Not only is the C4500 slow, but it is also expensive. The two exhaust pipes are a huge plus and keep the GMC Kickback C4500 at the 8th spot on this list.


7. Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 (Transformers G1: Autobot Rollbar)

A very popular car for off-road activities. The CJ-7 had an array of issues. Its carburetor was erratic and could cause the car to stall when slowing down or stopping. The engine would catch fire. The car had electrical problems. With the Jeep Wrangler CJ-7, just expect every problem. The off-road capability keeps it from going lower on the list.


6. Scion xB (Transformers Animated: Decepticon Soundwave)

This car is just a box on wheels. It is slow, underpowered, and marketed for young drivers. City cars are known for being underpowered and slow, but they are suppose to get good gas mileage. The Scion xB does not get good gas mileage. The only reason why the Scion xB is at the 6th spot because it has better styling than the top five entries on this worst list.

5. Honda City Turbo (Transformers G1: Autobot Skids)

If there is one type of car I hate, it is the slow, underpowered subcompact/city car. The turbo version of the Honda City has good acceleration for 1980s standards, but it still has a low top speed. Also, I also hate the styling of this car.

4. Volkswagen Bettle (Transformers G1: Autobot Bumblebee and Autobot Goldbug)

The Volkswagen Beetle had a list of problems. The electrical system had flawed wiring, front seat belts were poorly anchored, suspension had to be fixed, some Beetles had the front bumper omitted, the master cylinder was poorly installed. The Beetle was also underpowered and slow. The Beetle had better styling than the number 2 entry, landing the Beetle at the number 3 slot.


3. Nissan Vanette (Transformers G1: Autobot Ironhide and Autobot Ratchet)

The Nissan Vanette is a slow, underpower van. I am not a big fan of vans. The Vanette was just ugly. Those reasons make the Vanette the thrid worst car used by the Transformers franchise.


2. Pontiac Fiero (Transformers G1: Punch/Counterpunch)

The Pontiac Fiero is the only car from GM to have the engine located in the rear-middle of the car. During its lifetime, it had a few problems. The engine was known to catch fire and the cooling system had its own issues. The Fiero was also slow and underpowered, but it was a quick car. The engine and cooling system issues put the Fiero at number 2 on this list.


1. Chevrolet Beat and Trax (Transformers Live Film: Autobot Skids and Mudflap)

Skids on the left and Mudflap on the right

I was going to use the Chevrolet Volt here, but it did not get the screen time that the Beat and Trax got. Both Mudflap and Skids were just plain annoying. I could not stand those two and just made the second Transformers even worse. The Beat and Trax were not sold in the American market, but these two Chevrolets remind me of a horrendous car, the Chevrolet Aveo. The Aveo is one of the worst cars on the American roads. Chevrolet did a poll with the Beat, Trax, and Grooves, and the Beat won. Chevrolet put the Beat into production. The Beat is slow, sluggish, and underpowered. Chevrolet has never had a decent subcompact car. Besides, the Trax is not being made and the Beat will be sold in America as the Spark starting in 2012. Why Michael Bay had to feature these two cars, I have no idea.

CarJunkie

Auto Countdown: Questionable Decisions

The car has been around since 1886. Since that time hundreds of automotive manufacturers have made questionable cars and head-scratching decisions involving their cars. Some decisions ruin a company's image, while other decisions have signaled the death of a brand. These are the top ten questionable decisions made by car companies.

10. GM making an Australian Pontiac GTO

American Muscle Pontiac GTO

Australian Muscle Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO is the grand daddy of muscle cars. It started the muscle car craze in 1964. There is nothing like American muscle cars. In 2001, GM's Australian brand Holden released the Monaro, also known as the Vauxhall Monaro VXR. Neither the Holden brand nor the Vauxhall brand are sold in America. To solve this problem, the Monaro was sold as the Pontiac GTO. It was a good performing car. Just one problem, The Pontiac GTO is American Muscle. Why would GM make a GTO that is Australian Muscle and not American Muscle. The Australian GTO was produced from 2004 to 2006 and had a huge following. This was nowhere near the worst car that wears the Pontiac badge. GM ended the Pontiac brand in 2009


9. Enzo Ferrari Showing No Respect to Ferruccio Lamborghini

Ferruccio Lamborghini originally made tractors. He also owned a few Ferraris. But the clutches of his Ferraris were inferior and he confronted Enzo Ferrari about the problems with Ferrari clutches. Lamborghini was hoping to get some respect from Ferrari as a fellow manufacturer. Enzo Ferrari told Ferruccio Lamborghini, "How dare a tractor maker tell me how to make a car!" Lamborghini was very infuriated with Ferrari, and he started his own car brand. The Lamborghini 350GT was the first of a long line of quality, high performing Lamborghinis. If Ferrari was respectful to Ferruccio Lamborghini, he may not have had to compete with Lamborghini.


8. Waterman Aerobile

People have wondered what if a car could fly. In 1957 the Waterman Aerobile was born, twenty years after Waldo Waterman started creating a prototype flying car.  It was a car that could also fly. Problem is that was not good at flying and it was not a good road car either. Its wings weighed it down when flying.  The Aerobile was slow, sluggish, and had horrible handling. People who had a death wish bought this car. The only working Aerobile is held at the Smithsonian.


7. Amphicar

The Amphicar was designed to be used on the road and in the water. However, it was bad on the road and in the water. It was not watertight. If its bilge pump could not keep up with the water entering the Amphicar, it would sink. Critics claimed that the Amphicar drove like a car on water and a boat on land. It was not good as a car or as a boat.


6. Ferrari 400

Ferraris are known for stylish, high performing supercars. Ferrari also wanted to make a car that average Americans could afford. Ferrari came out with the 400. It was slow and just plain ugly. The 400 never was released in the American market. This was such a bad car that Top Gear named it one of the worst supercars of all time.


5. Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin is known for luxurious, stylish, and high performing grand tourers. From 1976 to 1983, Aston Martin came out with the Lagonda, a four-door sedan. It had a few problems. Its electronics were complicated and unreliable. Classic British cars were known for their bad electronic systems. It was also an eye sore. Bloomberg Weekly named it one of the 50 ugliest cars in the past 50 years. Every car maker has a questionable car. The Lagonda is the one ugly car in a long line of gorgeous Aston Martins.

4. Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini is known for making some of the fastest cars in the world. The Muira, Countach, and Diablo all held the title as the "World's Fastest Street-Legal Production Car" when they were released. From 1986 to 1993, Lamborghini was producing the only SUV to where the Lamboghini bull. Dubbed the "Rambo Lambo," the Lamborghini LM002 was big, ugly, and expensive. It cost over $100,000 when it was new. Only the richest elites could afford to own a LM002. Lamborghinis are known for speed, but the LM002 only managed a top speed of 130 mph.


3. Chevrolet Camero "Iron Duke"/ 305 Corvette California

Camaro Iron Duke

Corvette 305 California

The Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette were to of the best performing vehicles made by GM. So why would GM decide to put a 2.5L I4 in a Camaro. Dubbed the Camaro "Iron Duke," this Camaro to over 20 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Around the same time, GM decided to put a 305 cubic inch V8 into a Corvette. The engine was held back by California's tough emission standards. The three-speed automatic transmission that came with this Corvette just hindered its performance. The 305 cubic inch V8 put out 180 hp. The Corvette and Camaro are known for being high performing American muscle cars. But the Camaro Iron Duke and Corvette 305 just could not perform.

2. Pontiac Aztek

The Pontiac Aztek is one of the original crossover SUVs. Unfortunately for Pontiac, it was an eye sore. Its styling earned the Aztek a spot on Time Magazines "50 worst cars of all time" and was called the 34th worst invention of all time in 2010. The Aztek marked a decline in the Pontiac brand, and in 2009, Pontiac was no more. One can blame the end of Pontiac on the Aztek failure.

1. Pinto Memo, again

Ford Pinto

Ford Crown Victoria

The Ford Pinto was a dangerous car. In a rear end collision, the car would be on fire. The gas tank was outside the wheelbase, and would burst in a rear end collision. Ford knew about the fatal flaw. Ford was faced with a decision. Ford could either recall the Pinto to fix the issue, or not fix the issue. In a company policy known as the Pinto Memo, Ford found it cheaper to pay for the death and injury lawsuit than to fix the issue. Ford faced the same problem with the Crown Victoria in the 1990s and 2000s. The Crown Victoria was known for being used as a police car. But it had the same problem as the Pinto. It exploded when involved in a rear end collision. Many police officers died when their Crown Victorias exploded in rear end collisions. One would think Ford would have learned a lesson with the Pinto. But Ford made the same mistake with the Crown Victoria. Ford was never found reliable in any Crown Victoria accident.

CarJunkie

Auto Countdown: Cars that need a Comeback

A common trend in video games and movies is the remake/reboot of a franchise. In the past few years, car manufactures have brought back some of their classic models. The Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, and Fiat 500 have made successful comebacks. But there are several classic cars that manufactures need to consider bringing back. These are the top eight cars that need a comeback.
Rules: No defunct brands, one car per brand, the car must be in a car class where the brand does not have a model for, and the car has to have a following. For example, the Ferrari 308 will not be on the list since Ferrari already has a mid-engine V8 model with the 458 Italia. No Pontiacs, Oldmobiles, or Reliants will be on the list since they are defunct brands.



8.  Mitsubishi Diamante.

The Diamante was an underated sedan. It was reliable, comfortable to ride in, and just a good solid car. Some of the 2004 Diamantes, the last year it was made, got 205 hp from a 3.5L V6. It went from 0 to 60 in just over 8 seconds. Mitsubishi currently does not have a full-size car. Bringing back the Diamante gives Mitsubishi a car that can compete with the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, and Chevrolet Impala. The Diamante deserves a comeback because it was a comfortable car to ride in, reliable, and could be one of the best full-size cars on the market by using similar technology found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evos.


7. Lincoln Continental Four-Door Convertible

Modern convertibles are two-door vehicles. In the 1960s, the Lincoln Continental came in a four-door convertible variant. This car is very stylish and just plain cool. Nissan is coming out with a convertible variant of the Murano, a SUV. However, the Murano Convertible will be a two-door SUV. If a 1960s four-door sedan can have a retractable roof, then why can't a modern four-door sedan have a reatractable roof? Automotive technology has improved since the 1960s. Ford, please commission Lincoln to make a four-door convertible version of the MKZ and/or the MKS. If Nissan can make a SUV convertible, then Lincoln can make a four-door convertible.


6. Ferrari Sports Car with a flat-12 Engine Located in the Rear-Middle of the Car

The Ferrari 512M was one of the great rear-mid flat-12 Ferraris

Ferraris Berlinetta Boxer cars were great performing cars. They were known for their flat-12 engines located in the middle of the car. The flat engine lowers the center of gravity of a car, improving handling and cornering. After the 512M, Ferrari started putting V12 engines in the front of the car, starting with the 550 Maranello. Ferrari V12 grand tourers compete with the Corvette, Aston Martins, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and other high performing grand tourers. Ferrari's main competition, Lamborghini does not make grand tourers. Ferrari needs to produce a rear-mid flat-12 car to compete with the new Lamborghini Aventador, McLaren MP4-12C, Audi R8, Porsche 911s and other rear-mid engine supercars.


5. Lamborghini Espada

The Lamborghini Espada was one of the last front engine Lamborghinis ever made. The Espada was a V12 grand tourer and 1217 Espadas were produced from 1968 to 11978. After production of the Jarama and Espada ceased production in 1978, all Lamborghinis are rear-mid engine supercars, except for the LM002 SUV. Lamborghini's main rival, Ferrari, has had success with V12 grand tourers. Lamborghini needs a V12 grand tourer to compete with the Ferrari 612, FF, 599 Fiorano, and 599 GTO. The Espada would be a great competitor to the Ferrari V12 grand tourers. Lamborghini announced a return of the Espada in 2009, but Lamborghini did not follow through. The Lamborghini Espada needs a comeback to compete with the Ferrari V12 grand tourers.

4. Morgan Three-Wheeler

Morgan is known for making cars with wooden frames and quality three-wheel cars. From 1911 to 1952, Morgan made cars with two wheels in the front and a single wheel in the rear. These cars were lightweight and were laterally stable. These three-wheelers were cool cars and have a good following. Morgan revealed a prototype to the 2011 Three-Wheeler. Morgan, please put the Three-Wheeler into production.


3. Chevrolet El Camino

One of the most popular coupe utility vehicles was the Chevrolet El Camino. It was a a coupe with a flat bed in the rear. The SS version had a big block V8 under the hood and was a rocket on the drag strip. It has a huge following and is admired by muscle car enthusiast. Australia has the Holden Ute, a modern coupe utility vehicle. Holden is not sold in America. Chevrolet could put a Corvette engine under the hood. With the return of the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT500, why can't the El Camino make a comeback? The return of the El Camino would mark a return of the coupe utility vehicle class in America. If Chevy brings back the El Camino, then Ford might bring back the Ranchero, the El Camino's rival.


2. Porsche 928

I covered this car in a Classic Car article. The 928 is the only front-engine V8, two door car ever made by Porsche. It was a fast, quality grand tourer. Porsche has come out with the four door Panamera to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maserati Quattroporte, and Aston-Martin Rapide. The 911 competes with the Ferrari 458 and other supercars with the engine located behind the passengers.. Porsche needs a car to compete in the grand tourer class. Porsche needs a grand tourer to compete with the premier grand tourers, such as the Aston Martin Vantage, Corvette, Dodge Viper, and Nissan GT-R. There are rumors of a new Porsche 928. Please Porsche, bring back the 928. It deserves a comeback.


1. Honda/Acura NSX

The NSX is the only supercar ever made by Honda. It was produced from 1990 to 2005, and it still has a huge fanbase. I see at least half a dozen NSXes at Houston Cars and Coffee. It had two different V6 engines. The 3.0L V6 produced 270 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. The 3.2L V6 engine produce 290 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque. It took 4.8 seconds for the NSX to go from 0 to 60 mph and reached a top speed of 175 mph. Honda has been focusing on hybrids while stopping the production of the S2000. Honda/Acura's rivals, Lexus and Nissan, have supercars. For Honda Motor Company to compete with Lexus and Nissan, it needs to transfer some of its technology used in F1 and Indy Car Racing and produce a car that can compete with the Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R. Honda can have cars like the CR-Z and the Insight, yet still have a high performance car like the NSX. Honda was going to bring back the NSX, but due to several reasons, Honda canceled the production of the next generation NSX. The NSX needs a comeback to show that Honda can still make high performing vehicles.

CarJunkie