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The Transformers Series

Takara Transformers Binaltech Series and Masterpiece Edition Series (2003-present)

 

Transformers Alternators

Transformers Binaltech


BT-01 Smokescreen as Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 (8/03)

#7 Solberg / Mills 

#8 Makinen / Lindstorm

 

BT-02 Lambor (Sideswipe) as Dodge Viper SRT-10 (12/03)

 

BT-03 Streak as Subaru Impreza WRX (3/04) 

 

BT-04 Hound as Jeep Wrangler (04/04)

 

BT-05 Dead End as Dodge Viper Competition Coupe (07/04)

 

BT-06 Tracks as 2004 Chevy Corvette Z06 (08/04)

 

BT-06B Tracks 2004 as Blue Chevy Corvette Z06 (11/04)

 

BT-07 Smokescreen GT as Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 (09/04)

#1 Solberg / Mills

#2 Hernoven / Lehtinen

 

BT-08 Meister as Mazda RX8 (9/04)

 

BT-08V Meister as VRM Edition Mazda RX8 (9/04)

 

BT-09 Swindle as Jeep Wrangler Custom (11/04)

 

BT-10 Grimlock as 2005 Ford Mustang (12/04)

 

BT-11 Ravage as Black Chevy Corvette Z06

 

BT-12 Overdrive as Red Honda S2000 Convertible

 

BT-13 Laser Wave as Mazda RX8 Speed Edition

 

BT-14 Wheeljack as 2005 Ford Mustang Cobra

 

BT-15 Prowl as Honda Integra Type-R Police Version

 

BT-15B Prowl as Honda Integra Type-R Vivid Blue

 

BT-16 Skids as Toyota bB

 

BT* (Asterisk) Edition

 

BTA-01 Alert as Subaru WRX (Police Version)

 

BTA-02 Sunstreaker as Dodge Viper Competition Coupe

 

BTA-03 Broadblast as Toyota bB

 

KISS Players Series

 

Convoy x Melisa

 

Hot Rodimus x Sayo-Sayo

 

Autolooper x Atari

 

Masterpiece Edition

 

MP01 Convoy (Optimus Prime) Semi-truck Cab (12/03)

 

MP02 Ultra Magnus

 

MP03 Starscream

 

MP04 Convoy with Trailer

 

MP05 Megatron

 

MP06

Micro Force and Binaltech Smokescreen

 

Alternate Version

Transformers Alternators

Hasbro released a cheaper alternative to Takara Binaltech die-cast versions as Transformers Alternators Series. The toys were pretty much identical to BT version with die-cast and some painted parts replaced with colored plastics.

 

01 Smokescreen

02 Sideswipe

 

03 Silverstreak

 

04 Hound

 

05 Tracks

 

06 Dead End

 

07 Meister

 

08 Swindle

 

09 Windcharger

 

10 Grimlock

 

 011 Battle Ravage

 

012 Shockblast

 

013 Wheeljack

 

014 Decepticharge

 

015 Swerve

 

016 Prowl

 

017 Skids

 

018 Sunstreaker

 

019 Rollbar

 

020 Ricochet

 

021 Optimus Prime

 

022 Mirage

 

023 Camshaft

 

024 Nemesis Prime

 

025 Rumble

 

026 Beast Ravage

 

In 2003, Takara launched a new line of Transformers toys aimed at adult collectors who grew up with the original toys (much like Microman 2003 line) called Transformers Binaltech. The new line featured updated version of the old G1 Transformers toys.  The new series used licensed real world cars that transformed into an updated version of the old favorite Transformers characters.  Takara planed to release about a dozen figures for the new format all featuring licensed vehicle. The first in the line up was Smokescreen and to be follow by Lambor (Sideswipe).  Hasbro also planed to release alternate cheaper versions of these same toys as Transformers Alternators in the US.  There was a rumor of new CG shows in the work based on this new line of Transformers.

For 2004, Takara released more Binaltech Transformers including a slightly retooled and repaint Subaru Impreza as Streak, a Binaltech Hound as Jeep Wrangler, Meister (Jazz) as Mazda RX8, Binaltech Track as Corvette and Grimlock as Ford Mustang. Along with the Binaltech line, Takara also released another die-cast sub-series called Masterpiece (MP). The line featured the update version of the old favorites. So far the only figure released was an updated version of original Convoy.  Unlike the BT series, MP featured the familiar looking G1 vehicle instead of old character being redone in the modern vehicles.  Hasbro released the Masterpiece Convoy as Transformers 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime with some minor differences.  

For 2005, Takara released more Binaltech toys but the series certainly is on the decline. The quality of the toys sadly suffer immensely from poor quality control. By the end of 2005, Binaltech line is ended with the cancel of Wildride (BT version of Decepticharge). Takara started a new line called Binaltech Asterisk (BT*)which consisted of repaint and a pvc figurine. BT* series was short live and was soon replaced by KISS Players series in 2006. The new series removed the die-cast element and Takara Binaltech series is now all plastic just like Hasbro Alternator line. In the meantime, Alternator series is still going but with very limited distribution. Hasbro introduce several repaint along with some new mold. There are several figures announce for the 2007 but beyond that the future of the line is unclear.

Binaltech Story (As reported by Ben Yee at BWTF.com)

In the year 2003, the Autobots are slowly being destroyed by a powerful corrosive rust set upon them by the evil Decepticons. With Megatron and his troops advancing and the humans increasingly in danger, a final, desperate project is put into action - human created Transformers. Thus, the newest Transformers are born via a new technology: Binaltech!